PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for HIV. The Veteran's current PTSD is found to be related to his in-service military sexual trauma, while the cause of his HIV status remains unclear due to conflicting medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim prior to June 13, 2017, is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the evaluation of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood prior to June 29, 2017. A rating of 70 percent was granted for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck pain, lower back pain, right hip pain, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations scheduled in October 2013 without good cause. The Veteran is entitled to rescheduling of these examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye condition secondary to his service-connected residuals, small cell carcinoma of the lung has been reopened and remanded. The Veteran also had two other issues related to PTSD and employment that were remanded.,A higher evaluation for PTSD was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% or higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder and PTSD are currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board has found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, is related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability, and an initial compensable rating for right knee scars. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD claims should be remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding the diagnosis and etiology of his condition, necessitating further examination.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of an earlier claim or entitlement, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support any earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claim for service connection for alcohol abuse as secondary to PTSD is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder have been reopened, but her claim for herpes is denied. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service physical and sexual traumas, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occasional impairment in daily functioning, with symptoms of chronic sleep impairment and mild memory loss. The Board found that these symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an effective date prior to November 7, 2016, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.