PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 20, 2011, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder, alcohol abuse, and cannabis abuse was denied as there were no formal or informal claims received before this date.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social deficiencies, leading to a rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to May 20, 2015 caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. After May 20, 2015, the Veteran experienced reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as hopelessness, uselessness, depressed mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea is related to service, or if it is aggravated by his service-connected bronchial asthma and/or PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to February 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including a copy of his VA PTSD examination report and any relevant VA treatment records. The Social Security Administration must also be contacted to obtain pertinent disability benefit records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, finding that it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 2, 2012. The Board finds that the Veteran should be rescheduled for a new VA examination due to his failure to attend an August 2016 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and Anxiety Disorder) is denied. The effective date remains September 3, 2010, as the earliest possible date for which service connection may be awarded. His current disability rating of 70% for PTSD and Anxiety Disorder is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim, specifically a lack of confirmation of an in-service stressor and evaluation of the criteria for diagnosing PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since January 4, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and depression is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for COPD/emphysema due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hammertoe of the left little toe, plantar fasciitis, keratosis and multiple calluses of the great toes and left fifth metatarsal, and a low back disability have been dismissed. The reduction of the rating for TMJ from 10% to 0% has been restored as of August 13, 2014. A single 70% rating for PTSD since the date of filing has been granted. A single 60% rating for a right arm disability throughout the period on appeal has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and sleep impairment have rendered him unemployable since December 20, 2009. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right lower extremity deep vein thrombi, PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, is rated at 70 percent since October 24, 2007, to April 21, 2009. The rating for the service-connected psychiatric disorder was increased to 70 percent from April 22, 2009, to June 12, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased the rating for PTSD to 50 percent effective from May 24, 2011. The Veteran's current symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep impairment are considered sufficient to warrant a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to September 15, 2017 is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.