PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder have caused total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating. The Board has also granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 5, 2015 for a 100 percent evaluation established for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and symptoms of anxious distress is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 6, 2018; 40 percent from February 6, 2018, to August 2, 2018; and 80 percent since August 2, 2018. For PTSD, the Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent prior to August 16, 2016, and no higher, and 70 percent since that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence was evaluated at a 50 percent rating, and the claim for an evaluation in excess of this rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service assault and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is granted service connection because the evidence supports a finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's work history and specific periods of increased or decreased impairment related to his PTSD. The issues regarding ratings for depressive disorder and PTSD, as well as TDIU prior to October 22, 2018, are all remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional examination and development of records, particularly regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's low back disorder was not shown to be related to his service, while the PTSD symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, thinking and mood. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective December 11, 2019.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. However, the evidence does not support a finding that her current symptoms are related to her military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU was granted from July 29, 2009 until April 2016. The rating for PTSD remains unchanged since the effective date of the increased rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder with panic features, which is related to military sexual trauma (MST) during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA addendum opinion to address the nonservice-connected personality disorder and its impact on his occupational deficiencies.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional medical examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorders. The remand also includes the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction as due to these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods prior to February 1, 2017 and from December 1, 2018 were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of employment. The claim for TDIU during the period from February 1, 2017 to December 1, 2018 was dismissed as moot due to receipt of SMC based on a combined schedular evaluation of 100 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder (MDD). The evidence received since the February 2011 rating decision is not material.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from October 11, 2013. The Veteran's symptoms have been severe enough to warrant this higher rating.