PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's TBI residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with levoscoliosis and strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for PTSD with secondary uncontrolled angina and GERD is granted. Service connection for COPD is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher disability rating for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective from September 2, 2014, to December 1, 2014. The rating was granted due to total occupational and social impairment caused by the symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination addendum opinion regarding his sleep disability, which may be related to service-connected hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and traumatic brain injury was granted. The effective date of the grant is June 4, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in March 2007 due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a total (100%) disability rating since August 23, 2017. The Board also granted service connection for left shoulder and eye injuries as secondary to in-service head injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, personality disorder, anxiety, and depression, is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for higher disability ratings in multiple conditions, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's heart disability, including congestive heart failure, left bundle branch block, non ischemic cardiomyopathy, and mitral regurgitation, is denied as not related to service or any service-connected condition.,For the period prior to October 24, 2013, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied. For the period from October 24, 2013 onwards, a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The primary focus is on determining whether these conditions are service-connected or warrant increased ratings.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and remanded the remaining issues including diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction and hypertension; peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity; peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity; and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The TDIU claim was also remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and sarcoidosis of the right lower lip. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors for PTSD, lack of VA examinations for other disabilities, and need for additional development related to exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total social impairment. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD as the evidence did not support a higher than 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for borderline personality disorder was dismissed. The Board remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to October 17, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse, are granted as service connected. The diagnoses are based on in-service personal assault.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, finding no communication or submission prior to August 9, 2011 that could be construed as a claim. The Veteran's original claim was received on this date and he did not file any other claims before then.