PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, peptic ulcer disease, and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were restored. The Veteran had a permanent total disability due to PTSD which was rated at 100 percent.

The Board has expanded the claim to include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and mood disorder. The case is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in previous decisions and new evidence received within one year of the April 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea has been aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her service-connected asthma or PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. However, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded as there is a significant gap in time since his last VA examination and he alleges worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The seizure disorder, which may be secondary to alcoholism, will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD with depressive disorder not otherwise specified have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, and the effective date for tinnitus service connection is set at October 5, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to March 6, 2017, and denied for a higher rating. Beginning March 6, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to March 6, 2017, and denied for a higher rating. Beginning March 6, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an earlier effective date for PTSD and an increased rating for PTSD due to lack of a Statement of the Case, need for updated VA examination, and outstanding medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left forearm disability and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorder).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol dependence was manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as sleep impairment, anxiety, depression, and nightmares. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tremors and has denied service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for cervical spine stenosis, cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder (including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder), degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with bilateral radiculopathy, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to April 28, 2010, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of the left leg, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of the right leg, and an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder are all remanded due to incomplete or unclear evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU has been granted, with the effective date set at November 15, 2010. The decision is based on the Veteran's unemployability due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (sleep apnea, posttraumatic stress disorder, and tinnitus) rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD with schizoaffective disorder did not result in total occupational and social impairment prior to August 27, 2015. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating than 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period between July 31, 2012 and March 31, 2015 due to his service-connected PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and diabetes mellitus.