PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to June 1, 2017, and denied for a rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The claim for lumps on the right inner thigh was not reopened due to lack of timely submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from the Pueblo Vet Center and any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the right knee meniscus tear was not caused by his service-connected back and foot disabilities. For benign positional vertigo, the evidence did not support a finding of peripheral vestibular disorder. The bone loss of skull is considered less than a quarter in size. The PTSD with anxiety disorder, OCD, and cognitive disorder alone has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The TBI residuals have been rated appropriately.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. Prior to September 25, 2015, the Veteran was not found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities. As of September 25, 2015, he is now found unable to do so.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a VHA expert's medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted. The TDIU issue remains unresolved.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 2008, and the Board found that his condition warranted a higher rating of 70 percent effective July 21, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating prior to this date is denied.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling effective January 20, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of total social and occupational impairment due to service-connected disability prior to February 18, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and an anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating for the period prior to June 27, 2017.

The Veteran's HIV was caused or is related to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for HIV as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a current 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is due to military sexual trauma experienced during her service, and the Board finds that service connection for PTSD has been met.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 21, 2017 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. Symptoms included intrusive thoughts, avoidance of triggers, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

The Veteran was granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD with associated depressive disorder NOS from April 23, 2013 to December 20, 2017.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD with associated depressive disorder NOS was also granted.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 50% since May 5, 2008, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, and thus denied both claims. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to depression and substance use issues rather than service connection.

The Board has vacated the portion of its June 2017 decision regarding whether a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was filed with respect to the initial rating assigned for PTSD in May 2012. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is now remanded due to the lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder are manifested by reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating prior to September 19, 2017. The criteria for higher ratings (70% or 100%) are not met.