PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10% prior to February 20, 2014. From that date until November 13, 2017, the rating was increased to 30%. The decision grants a 30% rating for PTSD as of February 20, 2014, and denies any higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was shown to cause occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, thus denying an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and HIV. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD claim requires further examination and verification due to uncertainty in diagnosis and unverified stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower femoral nerve radiculopathy were considered for a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 beyond April 1, 2017.,SMC at the housebound rate was denied as she did not meet the criteria of being permanently housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is granted. The Board found sufficient credible supporting evidence of the in-service personal assault and linked the current symptoms to the sexual assault.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is now granted service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a headache disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 2, 2015 for his service-connected PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a valid claim or reopening of the previous denial between March 2007 and July 2015.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and TDIU due to PTSD are being remanded as new evidence is needed, including records from his VA treatment and a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, secondary to a service-connected disability. The decision also acknowledges that the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral feet disorders remain on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to service connection for Parkinson’s disease, an increased rating for tinnitus, and total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no evidence of a compensable disability.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for left hip disability. The Veteran does not have current left or right hip disability, nor do post-service treatment records indicate such disabilities.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable and the Board finds no evidence of a compensable disability.,Service connection for PTSD has been denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for PTSD.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including bipolar disorder, depression, and insomnia, has been denied as there is insufficient evidence to link these conditions to service or any other service-connected disability.,The Veteran's left knee disability has also been denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted. The issue of service connection for plantar fasciitis of the left foot is still pending.

The Veteran's initial PTSD disability rating is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The evidence did not show total social or occupational impairment, nor did it meet the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 17, 2008, for a 70 percent disability evaluation for PTSD is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to February 11, 2014, for the award of TDIU rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted due to the establishment of a current diagnosis of PTSD based on his verified in-service stressors.