PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder was granted a 70% disability evaluation from June 26, 2016 to August 18, 2017. Effective as of June 26, 2016, the Veteran is also receiving a TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an increased disability rating and earlier effective date for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD may have caused his obesity, which in turn could have led to his OSA. However, a new medical opinion is needed to determine if this causal relationship exists and whether it would not have occurred without the PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted, with the disability rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not sufficient to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder and knee disorders. The Veteran is not eligible for VA benefits because of a fraudulent enlistment during his second period of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, skin disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The reasons include lack of valid diagnoses based on corroborated in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 50 percent prior to April 4, 2018, and 70 percent thereafter. The appeal is for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have contributed to his erectile dysfunction, allowing him to receive special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since April 28, 2006. For the entire initial period on appeal, a 50 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, and a VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and OSA have been reopened, but the claims for back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension remain denied.,Service connection has been granted for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and alcoholism, including as secondary to PTSD, are being remanded due to the potential impact on both issues.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70% effective February 20, 2019. The Board has ordered additional development of his treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with generalized anxiety and major depression, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board found that a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, as well as residuals of TBI, are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding in-service stressors and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a right-hand condition due to procedural deficiencies in the May 2013 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, heart condition, respiratory condition, bronchitis, lower back condition, and sleep disorder due to lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's dates of service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it depends on the rating assigned.

The veteran's spouse is not eligible for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable limit.