PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 50% prior to July 3, 1989 and a 70% rating as of July 3, 1989. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for PTSD effective September 16, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection. The Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine effective May 6, 2017. However, he remains in disagreement with the initial rating assigned prior to that date.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and a VA examination for his coronary artery disease. The claim will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 15, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied an initial rating in excess of this amount as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent prior to July 31, 2013 and 70 percent on or after that date. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are found to be related to his service in Kuwait. Service connection is granted.

This decision grants a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's status post ruptured bladder, effective September 12, 2013. The Veteran also receives a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated as 100 percent disabling since January 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria of being both new and material.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he is granted TDIU. The case is remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder is reopened. The skin disorder claim is denied. Service connection for restrictive ventilatory defect remains at a 60 percent evaluation.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities, which have rendered him incapable of maintaining gainful employment. His TDIU claim has been granted effective from August 8, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied his claims for a higher rating and TDIU based on the severity of his symptoms not warranting a higher rating or meeting the threshold requirements for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU due to service-connected disability.

Service connection is granted for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The appeals regarding other conditions are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine strain and posttraumatic stress disorder due to incomplete VA examination records and lack of Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, PTSD rating, and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to review all issues together.

Entitlement to service connection for depression was denied. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is rated at 30 percent prior to September 29, 2015; 50 percent from September 29, 2015 to May 1, 2016; and 70 percent thereafter.,TDIU was denied prior to September 29, 2015.