PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The symptoms described align with the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 22, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied due to lack of a diagnosis, while the hypertension claim is pending as it may be secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling from April 10, 2012 onward. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in most areas such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for increases in the 'staged' ratings assigned for PTSD because he failed to provide necessary information and releases for private psychiatric treatment records, which are critical evidence needed to adjudicate his claim. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia, combined with her other disabilities, necessitates the need for regular aid and attendance of another person as of August 28, 2013. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been rated at 50 percent since November 6, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are found to be related to his military sexual trauma, which occurred during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to an in-service personal assault. The issue of entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD is remanded due to lack of VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. The issues of service connection, temporary total evaluations based on hospital treatment and convalescence are still pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his combined disability rating of at least 70 percent with one disability rated at least 40 percent is sufficient to grant TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from September 3, 1996 to October 27, 2001 as he was able to perform substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants a TDIU effective January 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent disability evaluation for PTSD is denied as there is no legal entitlement to such.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the lowest possible rating for this condition. The symptoms described do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are considered to be occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a new theory presented by the representative, which now suggests that the condition may be caused or worsened by the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. The claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis and colon cancer are also denied as there is no evidence of their onset during service or otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, do not render him unemployable prior to August 27, 2015.

The Veteran's TBI and psychiatric disorder were granted effective November 19, 2005. The Board found that the low back, neck, and right ankle conditions are not related to service.