PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran died from a head injury sustained as a result of a fall, with contributing causes of hypertensive cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The cause of death is unrelated to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed because his PTSD has been granted a 100% schedular rating, which renders the TDIU claim moot.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis under DSM-IV and whether any current psychiatric disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected digestive disability, including GERD and dysphagia, is rated at 30 percent. The Board finds a separate rating of 10 percent for esophageal stricture under Diagnostic Code 7203.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer residuals, needs further examination as the current VA examiner's opinion was internally inconsistent.

The Veteran's appeal is about determining if he should receive a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his claim for service connection for thrombocytopenia is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, with the stressors verified through deck logs of the USS Cimarron. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent from March 22, 2010 to November 18, 2015 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective March 26, 2009. The Board also found that the Veteran met criteria for a TDIU prior to April 1, 2011.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to address the Veteran's psychiatric claims, including his PTSD and other diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 11, 2013 and the initial rating of 50 percent was granted effective June 20, 2007. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is attributable to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity experienced in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeal for service connection of PTSD. The Board is dismissing this matter as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed regarding his claim for prostate cancer to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. The request for revision of the March 2006 decision based on CUE in the effective date of the 70 percent rating for PTSD with depression is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, a dental disability due to trauma, and a low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that would warrant service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder were productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to May 16, 2013. However, total social impairment was not demonstrated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, depressive disorder, and PTSD, was denied. The dental disability claim was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since October 22, 2015. Prior to this date, the impairment was less severe.