PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and mood disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective May 1, 2012. The decision also grants special monthly compensation (SMC) beginning January 20, 2014, for a single 100 percent rating with additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective September 4, 2019. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to procedural issues, as the AOJ issued a revised decision that corrected an earlier one.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals regarding the issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, increased disability rating for PTSD, compensable ratings for chronic constipation and alopecia, and a compensable rating for right breast disability.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he did not have any service-connected disabilities at the time of the decision.,Service connection for PTSD and mild depressive and anxiety disorder were granted, with the Board finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his military sexual trauma during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% for the entire period of appeal, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted and rated at 100 percent. The Veteran's Persistent Depressive Disorder with anxious distress and intermittent major depressive episodes is granted and rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has combined the claims for service connection for PTSD and anxiety into one expanded claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified mood disorder, PTSD, and anxiety. The Veteran's current diagnosis of unspecified mood disorder is due to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist, including failing to attempt to verify the Veteran's reported stressor and provide a VA examination for his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides and/or disabilities. Service connection is also granted for GERD, migraine headaches, TBI, neck disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of December 15, 2010, as the Board finds that he was unable to engage in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities starting from this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and SMC based on housebound criteria, finding that no new claim was submitted within one year of the October 2019 rating decision.

The Board has remanded four service connection issues on appeal due to errors in the duty to assist, including failing to secure earlier VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. Therefore, entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to unclear notice and duty-to-assist error. The matter will be evaluated under statutory criteria for need for supervision, protection, or instruction with clear reasons and bases.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since July 20, 2016. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The decision is based on the opinion of the Veteran's treating physician, who concluded that the Veteran's sleep apnea is more likely than not directly associated with his military-service-acquired PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, right leg, left leg, and erectile dysfunction disabilities. The claims of service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD are remanded due to the lack of relevant private treatment records.,Further development is needed regarding the Veteran's claim of a right arm disability.