PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board found that the Appellant does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, that was incurred during or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling since March 22, 2007. Effective April 22, 2009, the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability did not have its onset in active service and is not otherwise the result of a disease or injury, if any, incurred in active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not to the level of total occupational or social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence that the condition had its onset in service or within one year of discharge. The Board also found insufficient evidence to link his diagnosed psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse was rated at 50 percent disabling, effective January 17, 2008. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted during the period from January 18, 2008 to July 8, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to consider his claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and a TDIU. The case will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and occupational and social impairment were found to be similar to those in the 70 percent rating criteria, warranting a higher initial disability rating of 50% for the period from October 27, 2006 to April 27, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not, either individually or collectively, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, mood disorder, depression, and PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not show any relationship between or aggravation of any current psychiatric disorder and a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and service connection for a back disability. The TDIU claim remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to August 1, 2011 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The decision is granted for the increased rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, and mood, warranting a higher 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since September 30, 2010. Effective from September 30, 2010, the Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability and a TDIU effective July 3, 2012.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, anemia, and schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and/or PTSD. However, it found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to his PTSD diagnosed in service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder and panic disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to November 8, 2012, and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the disability picture did not warrant a higher rating before or after this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records. The TDIU claim will be considered in conjunction with the PTSD rating issue.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from cardiorespiratory arrest, with underlying arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation.