PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain inpatient treatment records from his military hospitalization and to conduct a VA examination to assess the current severity of his varicose veins. The Veteran also needs additional development regarding allegations of in-service assaults and head injuries.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the July 27, 2013 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD with anxiety, hypertension, heart attack, back condition, left leg pain, and diabetes did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by subjective reports of sleep impairment and nightmares, avoiding crowds, and suspiciousness since the claim was filed. The preponderance of evidence supports a noncompensable rating for PTSD prior to March 30, 2017.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities resulting from a colonoscopy and subsequent care in October 2012 at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. The Board finds that further examination and development are needed to determine if these conditions were caused by VA's treatment.

The Veteran's PTSD and prostate cancer residuals have not been rated higher than the current assigned ratings of 30 percent for PTSD and 40 percent for prostate cancer, respectively.

The Veteran's PTSD and sleep apnea are service-connected, with the sleep apnea being secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms result in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a 50% evaluation effective November 2, 2010. The Board found that no earlier effective date is applicable.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and social anxiety was rated at 70 percent disabling since September 10, 2007 through April 29, 2015. The rating was granted based on the severity of his symptoms as per the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD with Nightmare Disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling since July 26, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep impairment, and disturbances in motivation and mood have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective October 28, 2010. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been rated at the highest available level (70%) since July 1, 2009. The Board found that his symptoms warrant this rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 50% from April 27, 2009 through May 3, 2015. Since May 4, 2015, the rating is 30%. The Veteran's torn left knee ligament warrants a 10% rating since August 4, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file for the claim of service connection for PTSD. Additional development is required.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 30 percent prior to September 26, 2017 and 70 percent since then. The Board denied both requests for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 10 percent disabling, the minimum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The symptoms described by the Veteran do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) is granted, with a current rating of 10 percent. The duodenal ulcer condition remains at 10 percent prior to March 13, 2017, and at 20 percent thereafter. Pseudofolliculitis barbae has been assigned a non-compensable rating. TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

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