PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, alcohol abuse, type II diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 30, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and his anxiety disorder NOS prior to July 22, 2011 is denied. The appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder NOS after that date remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD to include major depressive episodes and polysubstance use disorder is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to October 24, 2011, and from January 1, 2012, through August 1, 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to an in-service incident during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to September 22, 2013 and increased to 50 percent from September 23, 2013 to September 4, 2019. The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to September 22, 2013 but granted a TDIU effective September 4, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was partially granted with a 70 percent evaluation as of September 4, 2019. The Board also granted the TDIU from September 22, 2013 to September 4, 2019 and dismissed it after that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following any substantially gainful employment prior to January 13, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of HIV/AIDS as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran’s HIV/AIDS is proximately due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and urinary incontinence, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

For the period prior to March 13, 2020, the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder and MDD did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.,Prior to January 1, 2020, the Veteran was able to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including a mood disorder and PTSD, was granted with an effective date of November 29, 2011. The Board found that the earliest evidence of a diagnosis met the DSM criteria for PTSD.

A 70 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is granted from July 18, 2016. The Veteran's sleep disorder claim was remanded.

Prior to September 18, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.,Effective from September 18, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on several conditions was dismissed. The right arm furuncle received a 10% rating, and the obstructive sleep apnea remains at 50%. The Veteran’s TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to his failure to complete the VA Form 21-8940, which was sent to him in September 2020. The Veteran and his representative requested another opportunity to provide information.

The Board has remanded both the increased rating for PTSD and the TDIU claim due to insufficient information regarding the date of onset of the Veteran's increase in disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum from the November 2019 examiner addressing this issue, as well as adjudicate the TDIU and housebound rate claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities at least as likely as not result in him needing regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent since February 15, 2008, and will remain at that level until July 10, 2011. After that date, the rating is increased to 70 percent.