PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of burns and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The claim for residuals of burns was denied as a matter of law due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between service and the claimed condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been denied. The Veteran was not granted a temporary total rating based on hospitalization from May 8, 2015 to June 15, 2015 due to his nonservice-connected alcohol and cocaine dependence. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has also been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD, is related to his service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, primarily PTSD with features of anxiety and alcohol dependence, was found to more nearly approximate the criteria for total occupational and social impairment. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for the period prior to October 16, 2012, but also noted that his remaining service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for PTSD from February 26, 2010 through February 17, 2014. The AOJ will consider all relevant evidence including a November 2016 vocational assessment report.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in moderate to severe social and occupational impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating effective from July 28, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent prior to January 11, 2017. Since then, the disability has been productive of more severe manifestations that meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and ischemic heart disease. The TDIU is granted for the entire period from December 11, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and dysthymia, is at least as likely as not causally related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim of an initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD was granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent. The issue of a TDIU was also granted. The claim of service connection for fibromyalgia was denied. Service connection for PFB and bladder disorder were not established. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid & attendance/housebound status was granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as cognitive disorder unspecified, likely major neurocognitive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder with PTSD features, is a result of service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 90%, meeting the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no credible supporting evidence to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and therefore service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not etiologically related to service and did not manifest within a year of separation, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus, type II is not related to service and denied her claim. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim was remanded for additional development.