PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with sleep disorder due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, effective April 30, 2013. The attorney's fees are also granted based on past due benefits awarded in the May 2014 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his military service and were more likely caused by a stroke in 2001.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the 70 percent rating for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and for TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

An increased evaluation of 70 percent for schizophrenia, paranoid type is granted effective August 23, 2006. The issue of entitlement to a total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) related to service-connected schizophrenia prior to March 22, 2012, is also addressed and granted.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma/stressor-related disorder (previously PTSD) is rated at 50 percent from March 1, 2011 to January 24, 2017. The issues of service connection for TBI and sleep apnea are remanded as well as the claims for major depressive disorder secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma/stressor-related disorder (previously PTSD), and ratings in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral muscular strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine and posttraumatic synovitis of the left ankle.,The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder is rated at 50 percent from March 1, 2011 to January 24, 2017. The issues of service connection for TBI and sleep apnea are remanded as well as the claims for major depressive disorder secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma/stressor-related disorder (previously PTSD), and ratings in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral muscular strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine and posttraumatic synovitis of the left ankle.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further medical opinion regarding the relationship between his sleep disorder and service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not to the extent warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a back disorder is denied. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 100 percent for PTSD from June 3, 2014 to August 12, 2014 due to persistent danger of self-harm. He was also granted an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD from August 13, 2014 to July 12, 2017 and a 70 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depressive disorder are granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depressive disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD made it difficult for him to perform the duties of a handyman/maintenance worker, and he has not been able to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 1969 due to his PTSD. The Board granted a TDIU for the period prior to September 12, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability under VA regulations, and the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety and PTSD, due to service-connected sinusitis is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of examination and new evidence provided by the Veteran. The Veteran is advised to cooperate in obtaining updated VA treatment records and attend a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's PTSD aggravates his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent prior to November 4, 2014, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.