PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to January 5, 2010, and no greater than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from January 5, 2010 to March 13, 2013. Therefore, the Veteran is not entitled to a schedular rating in excess of 50 percent prior to January 5, 2010, and in excess of 70 percent from January 5, 2010 to March 13, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder, along with the medications used to treat them, contributed substantially and materially to his underlying cause of death, which was diagnosed as dementia. Therefore, the Veteran's service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected PTSD, cognitive disorder, dementia, and cardiovascular issues. The decision grants special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 14, 2008. The Board found that the disability results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depression, lack of motivation, desire to isolate himself, crying spells, feelings of hopelessness, occasional episodes of violence, anxiety, suspiciousness, exaggerated startle response, difficulty concentrating, difficulty communicating, sleep impairment, occasional auditory hallucinations, and occasional neglect of hygiene and household chores.

The Board found that the Veteran has a confirmed DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD and that his in-service stressors are related to fear of hostile military activity. The evidence is at least in equipoise, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings, including obtaining clarification and supplemental opinions regarding the need for aid and attendance based on service-connected disabilities. The claim is also being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case for issues related to service connection or the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC.

The Veteran's PTSD, joint pain, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, sexual dysfunction, and depression are all found to be related to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a PTSD examination, and completing a VA social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The symptoms include depression, anger, irritability, suicidal ideation, panic attacks, and sleep impairment due to nightmares.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative joint disease and acquired psychiatric disability were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, a panic disorder depression, an adjustment disability, and posttraumatic stress disorder was granted. The TDIU issue is also addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and finds that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service. The evidence is in equipoise, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide an addendum opinion regarding her psychiatric conditions. The AOJ will review the claims folder to ensure all requested development has been completed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been granted, and he is now entitled to a rating based on the merits.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, and Panic Disorder) is also considered in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at a 70 percent since August 13, 2010 to March 23, 2014. The evidence shows that his PTSD has caused significant occupational and social impairment during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating since May 14, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a present psychiatric disability, specifically anxiety disorder and PTSD. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

For the period of appeal prior to April 12, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The rating assigned is 70 percent.