PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning June 6, 2011, based on the combined effects of his service-connected coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his acquired psychiatric disorder did not originate as the result of his service or due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and psychophysiological insomnia, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks from May 14, 2015 to June 17, 2018. The Veteran was granted a 30% disability rating for this period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding service connection for ED and clarification on the onset of ED. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death from myocardial infarction, including consideration of a new article submitted by the appellant.

The Veteran's TBI is now rated at 40 percent effective from May 19, 2017. Prior to this date, the highest level of impairment was considered '1'.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating and SMC based on housebound criteria were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and ischemic heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral leg disability, left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), asthma, ulcers, and right ankle disability due to lack of current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating of PTSD prior to February 22, 2019 was denied. The appeal for a higher rating from February 22, 2019 and service connection for hypertension were dismissed due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with bipolar disorder and alcohol and stimulant use disorders in remission was granted with an evaluation of 100% effective November 14, 2013. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for higher special monthly compensation (SMC) is denied because the evidence does not show he has any other disabilities or symptoms that would warrant a higher level of SMC.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent prior to November 24, 2015. A TDIU was also granted for the same period.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, uterine cancer, and a bilateral eye disorder. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits from January 1, 2019. The decision is based on the clear and convincing evidence that the Veteran was not employed in a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety as there was no evidence to support a link between his current psychiatric disorders and his military service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.