PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's disability, which includes conversion disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment. The Board grants a rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's conversion disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating effective July 31, 2007. The claim for an earlier effective date is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and his TDIU claim on a schedular basis has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee sprain, status-post surgery with scars, is rated at 10 percent. The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of extension of the left knee. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective March 28, 2017. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's hypertension, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 50% for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 50 percent effective April 19, 2016. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU as of July 19, 2016.,However, the Veteran was denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to July 19, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and psychotic features has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of the alleged stressor event. The Board found that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but did not establish a link between it and his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his active military service, and the appeal for hypertension has been withdrawn. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been denied. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current sleep apnea is related to service or a service-connected disability. His posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70% since August 11, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no decision on the merits of the claim can be made.

The Veteran's PTSD was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment for the period prior to March 31, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression NOS, adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, and dysthymic disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that there is sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD as related to his in-service sexual assault. The Veteran's symptoms align with the criteria for PTSD, and the private examiner provided strong support for this conclusion.