PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating from November 22, 2011 to October 15, 2015. From October 16, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet criteria for a higher 100 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and PTSD, finding new and material evidence. The case is now remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective March 4, 2012. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU as his service-connected disability does not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not granted as the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and diabetes mellitus. The claim will be readjudicated after these examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been granted increased ratings to 70 percent effective August 20, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information, including updated VA treatment records. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated again after these are obtained.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is granted as service connection based on the evidence showing a current disability, in-service events, and a nexus between the events and the disorder.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for the Veteran's CAD from 100% to 60% effective as of June 1, 2012 was not proper.,The May 2008 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD is final. The claim has been reopened and new evidence received since that time raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current PTSD diagnosis is related to his service in Korea, where he feared for his life and endorsed symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the entire period on appeal, warranting a 70% rating. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding of total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence and depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent for total disability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury. The Board found that the Veteran meets the percentage rating standards for TDIU due to his combined disability ratings and single disability ratings, which are at least 70 percent. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound was denied as there is no evidence of permanent bedridden status or inability to leave the house. His claim for SMP based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment for the entire appeal period, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his right ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to February 6, 2015 and to 70 percent thereafter is dismissed.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective January 7, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once per week, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to military sexual trauma during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder, NOS has been granted a rating of 70 percent. The other claims have not met the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating.