PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea and an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to inadequate opinions in the April 2016 VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and anxiety, finding new and material evidence. The Board also found that her acquired psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to her active duty military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 50 percent, and he does not have a service-connected left or right leg disability. The Board found no evidence of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is pending.

The Veteran's mental disorders have been rated based on their severity, with a 50 percent rating prior to June 27, 2008 and a 70 percent rating thereafter. The claims for service connection for a headache disorder and heart disorder were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date for schizophrenia was granted. The effective date for the schizophrenia claim is set to November 29, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination and opinion regarding his right hand tremors and PTSD. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 14, 2009. The rating is based on the symptoms and impairment described in his medical records.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 100% since April 25, 2005.,Since April 14, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70%. The rating was increased from 30% to 70% effective March 5, 2015.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be proximately due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating since March 1, 2011. Prior to that date, the Veteran met the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as dysthymic disorder and PTSD, was rated at 30 percent from November 20, 2009, to October 1, 2012. After this period, the rating for PTSD alone increased to 70 percent.,The Veteran's left knee condition resulted in a 10 percent rating since February 23, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss disability, whether he has a right ear hearing loss disability related to military service, and the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran experienced a military sexual trauma, and supports a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for service connection for PTSD, including as due to military sexual trauma, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, has been granted. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected pustular dermatitis was granted a 60% rating effective November 24, 2015. He also received a TDIU and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate as of that date.,PTSD is considered in determining unemployability but does not contribute to the TDIU or housebound rate.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder and mild TBI disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since January 29, 2010. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation due to the combined effect of these conditions.