PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as the evidence did not establish a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were denied. The Veteran was also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease prior to June 16, 2017 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if he has any current psychiatric disability and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were granted initial ratings of 70 percent from April 28, 2018.

The reduction in the disability rating for PTSD from 100 percent to 50 percent was improper, and the 100 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, claimed as PTSD, has not resulted in more than occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation due to lack of recent medical records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service or his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available under current criteria. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD since January 10, 2017 is denied. The current rating of 70 percent adequately reflects the severity and impact of his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted because the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor, and credible supporting evidence that the stressor occurred.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date is May 20, 2010, the date of his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a higher rating due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since February 15, 2006. The Board granted a higher rating of 70% effective July 1, 2008, and also granted TDIU as of that date.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart murmur and remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, mood disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder) and sleep apnea. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea and PTSD are related to his service, as well as to evaluate the severity of his PTSD. The claims for TDIU are also remanded due to their interrelation with the other issues.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 9, 2008. The Board finds that the combined rating percentage requirements were met during certain periods and not met at other times.

Your service connection for a psychiatric disability has already been granted, so this appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent since March 5, 2017. The rating will remain at this level until further notice.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that his April 21, 2011 correspondence was a new claim seeking an increased rating of PTSD rather than a NOD. The Veteran did not dispute the initial rating assigned to PTSD and there is no evidence from within one year supporting a grant of TDIU.