PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from August 30, 2012. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to September 6, 2013 is granted. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment during this time.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD has been granted, with the rating now set at 70 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, should be remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as PTSD, are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent symptom reports indicating worsening of the conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been expanded to include all acquired psychiatric disorders. Further development is needed, including corroborating the stressors in service and conducting a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective February 3, 2011. The Board found that the appropriate effective date for the award of TDIU is February 3, 2011.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, as the stress from PTSD led to overeating and weight gain, which resulted in sleep apnea. The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of service connection for hemoccult positive stools has been granted. The claims for service connection for a sinus disorder, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, insomnia, and psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is service-connected as it was caused by a verified incident of military sexual trauma (MST) during his active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service. The decision also acknowledges a diagnosis of Depression but does not provide separate ratings as it would violate pyramiding rules.

The Veteran's upper respiratory infections are found to be related to service.,Bilateral hearing loss is not considered disabling enough for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, were not shown to be related to his active service or any service-connected disability. The Board found the diagnoses of PTSD and other conditions unreliable due to inconsistencies in the medical records and the Veteran's history of malingering.

The Board denied the claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, severance of PTSD service connection, and denial of DM, vision disability, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD due to military sexual trauma and childhood abuse is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service personal assaults, which meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of Vietnam service and exposure to Agent Orange, a VA examination, and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection was denied for rhinitis and sinusitis, COPD, OSA, cervical spine disability, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, chondromalacia of the right knee, left knee sprain, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic/lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the bilateral MTP joints, and a skin condition. The case was remanded for further action on several issues.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than chronic adjustment disorder, with mixed features (which includes PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and memory loss) is also denied. The Veteran's symptoms are accounted for in the existing rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the effective date for service connection has been set to January 24, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating from September 28, 2012 to the present. A total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied prior to October 11, 2010.