PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since the effective date of service connection, resulting in a total disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and personnel information, as well as for a new VA audiological examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU from July 1, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not result in or more nearly approximate deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder or back disability related to service. The claim for peripheral vascular disease is also denied as there was insufficient medical opinion regarding aggravation by seizure medications.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to his active duty. For PTSD, the initial rating prior to January 9, 2015, and staged ratings from that date were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent for the period from February 2, 2001, to November 27, 2006. For the period since November 19, 2015, a higher rating is denied as his symptoms do not warrant such an increase.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased schedular rating for PTSD and an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 50 percent rating, finding that his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for hepatitis C prior to the Board's decision. The case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected and contributed to his death by suicide, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to February 13, 2017.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining and maintaining employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a mental illness or psychosis for the purpose of establishing eligibility for medical treatment only pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1702 were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse disorder. The decision found that there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor related to a traumatic event or circumstance, and thus element (2) of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f) was not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and elbow disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) have been denied. The claim of service connection for a prostate condition has not been reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to February 17, 2011 and 70 percent disabling from that date until February 26, 2013. The Board finds the current ratings are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Sleep Apnea, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for Hypertension. The earlier effective date claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of October 26, 2010. The diagnosis of PTSD occurred on April 25, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and chronic hepatitis C infection, and readjudicating the claims.