PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity before February 13, 2015. A rating of 50 percent is granted for this period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD due to military sexual trauma and major depressive disorder due to back disability have been reopened, and service connection is granted. The Veteran also received a rating of at least 10 percent for his lumbar spondylosis with intervertebral disc disease prior to July 17, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of the 100 percent rating for PTSD is denied as he did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating on the date of receipt of his service connection claim for PTSD, and the earliest date entitlement arose to a 100 percent rating was during the November 7, 2012, VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass grafting, as it was not due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety and depression, was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new evidence provided by a VA psychiatrist. However, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which approximates the level of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as irritability, social withdrawal, anxiety, sleep impairment, mood disturbance, and some difficulty with concentration.

The case is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of the Veteran's low back disability, PTSD, left knee degenerative joint disease and instability, as well as whether her service-connected knee disabilities are secondary or aggravated by her low back disability. The Veteran will also be asked to authorize VA to obtain physical therapy records from 'Vital Energy and Force'.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings, TDIU, and earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The appeal for a temporary total rating due to in-patient treatment is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective March 25, 2015. Prior to that date, the rating remained at 30 percent.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's anxiety disorder, effective from January 12, 2011. The decision also found that he is entitled to TDIU prior to June 30, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms, from October 26, 2008 to November 12, 2009, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows that his current PTSD was caused by in-service traumatic events.

Your initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD has been granted and you are now receiving the maximum disability rating of 70 percent, effective December 2, 2009. Your appeal is dismissed as your intent was to limit it to this issue.

The Veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective May 31, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet or more nearly reflect the criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment. As such, a higher initial rating of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's TBI residuals were granted with a 10% rating prior to October 23, 2008 and a 30% rating thereafter. The cognitive impairment was also granted with a 10% rating as of October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and alcohol dependence was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service, and the stressors claimed are not supported by credible supporting evidence.