PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding no CUE in the November 2011 rating decision and concluding that there was not a reasonable basis to conclude that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor was unverified.

The Veteran's service-connected depression with PTSD and anxiety warrants a 70 percent rating for the entire period on appeal. The Board found that his symptoms cannot be distinguished from each other, so all psychiatric symptoms are considered in the adjudication of the claim.

The Board has found that the Veteran's depression and PTSD are service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's skin cancer and PTSD are not service connected, but he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for additional development due to concerns about the severity and functional impact of his condition, particularly in light of his other health issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased rating for erectile dysfunction are not currently before the Board. The claim for PTSD is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since August 30, 1996 to November 9, 2010, and from March 1, 2011. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date prior to July 6, 2001, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with mood disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted a higher rating of 30 percent for GERD. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, tinnitus at 10 percent, and bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the appeal period began, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. The Board found that his symptoms have resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and he is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,His sleep apnea claim was denied as he does not have a diagnosed condition of sleep apnea, but rather insomnia related to his service-connected anxiety and depression.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD prior to October 23, 2013. The effective date of this increased rating remains April 15, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 100 percent disability rating for Meniere's disease is denied as there was no increase in disability level within one year prior to her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and his residuals of pneumonia are not service-connected. The evidence does not support the claims for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 9, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The decision stated that the earliest possible effective date was the date of the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim in May 2009.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service. For the lumbar spine disabilities, a remand is required as the most recent VA examination did not include range of motion findings in accordance with Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 2, 2011. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the severity of his PTSD and its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 28, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.