PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected IBS, PTSD, and lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's IBS symptoms were severe but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence and findings.

The Board dismissed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a skin disability due to withdrawal. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis, and right toe disability were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD, finding new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for lower back pain, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, migraines, tinnitus, and maxillary sinusitis have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and dysthymic disorder) are denied. The claim for increased rating for status post laminectomy lumbosacral spine with low back pain is granted to a maximum of 40 percent from September 20, 2010 to August 6, 2016, but denied thereafter. Separate initial ratings in excess of 10 percent are not warranted for femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right leg and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left leg.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent effective from March 27, 2010 for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU). The effective date of August 15, 2008 was granted for the PTSD rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his service-connected mental conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for residuals of a traumatic brain injury with a cognitive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, and for migraine headaches. The appeal concerning an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot pes planus is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not approximated total occupational and social impairment, but his service-connected PTSD has prevented him from being able to secure and maintain gainful employment. The Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 13, 1988 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The earlier effective date has rendered the June 1988 rating decision non-final and moot the Veteran's motion for CUE.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service. The appeal regarding PTSD has been granted, with a rating in excess of 50 percent from November 23, 2013, and TDIU is granted effective since that date.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 22, 2012 and increased to 50 percent from June 1, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, associated MDD and anxiety disorder are service-connected due to in-service sexual assault. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of coccydynia for which she is already receiving a rating.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is considered a subsequent manifestation of his already service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the initial rating for PTSD, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable prior to October 13, 2004 and 20 percent thereafter. The issue of service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment, with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depression, irritability, hypervigilance, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. The Veteran was granted a rating of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are most closely approximated by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total social and occupational impairment. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and found that the Veteran's current left knee condition is at least as likely as not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability. The claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, and right ankle disability were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.