PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected as secondary to his PTSD. His bilateral shin splints are rated at 10% each, and his PTSD warrants a 70% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders have been rated at a 30 percent since March 11, 2015. The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder). The decision found that new evidence did not establish a nexus to service in some cases.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder, to include depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety, resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to October 8, 2012. Since then, the symptoms have been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board also found a positive nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and her in-service sexual assault, granting service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD, is related to military sexual trauma in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse has resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current 50 percent rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 4, 2016. The VA found that the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred during active service and are not etiologically related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA mental health examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU issue must also be addressed as it is inextricably intertwined with the disability evaluation claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms warranted a 70 percent disability rating, and also determined he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective August 1, 2017. The TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was fully satisfied with the grant of the entitlement sought in an RO decision of July 2017, and thus the issue is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service is not a bar to VA benefits, and therefore, his claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea was denied as he does not have such a condition. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied due to the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was granted. The claims for increased ratings for the bilateral knees and for a sleep disorder were also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining opinions from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service connection claims and her substance abuse disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD and right leg disability are still pending.