PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The initial rating for his radiculopathy and separate ratings for mood disorder with PTSD were also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were granted effective March 9, 2013. The Board denied earlier effective dates for both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder, secondary to his right shoulder disability has been granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains under review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder, secondary to his right shoulder disability has been granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, insomnia, and anxiety, are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the original September 2010 rating decision, thus the claim is not final. The Veteran's service records do not show any psychiatric symptoms during service, but he was diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and anxiety after service. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total social impairment. A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent from February 3, 2011 to September 6, 2016. This rating reflects significant impairment in most areas of functioning.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if sleep apnea is related to service-connected PTSD, and whether the Veteran's ability to work due to his disabilities should be considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his death in August [redacted], 2017. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including suspiciousness, hypervigilance, chronic sleep impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain private psychiatric records.

The Veteran's DM is currently rated at 10 percent, effective November 20, 2014. The Board finds no evidence of the need for insulin or regulation of activities due to DM. Service connection has been granted for hiatal hernia and residuals of a fractured right hip (including URHR) associated with stroke secondary to service-connected DM. These issues are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent effective May 14, 2012. The rating for TBI remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since September 26, 2006. A 40% rating for his back disability is granted from January 26, 2006. Service connection for right and left leg radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected back disability is granted. Service connection for bladder disability and chronic urinary disability secondary to the service-connected back disability is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to work due to symptoms like chronic insomnia, hypervigilance, and impaired concentration. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions and issues, including increased ratings for TBI and migraine headaches, service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, a left knee condition, hearing loss, cataracts, diabetes (secondary to service-connected disability), an increased rating for other specified depressive disorder, and entitlement to individual unemployability prior to February 8, 2012. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression. The appeal is granted to this extent only, and the claims of service connection for low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including intermittent explosive disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorder and depression) are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from June 24, 2010 to June 4, 2018. From June 4, 2018, the Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as there was no prior unadjudicated claim and the earliest date of claim is September 16, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his claims for SMC based on housebound criteria or aid and attendance, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with his earlier effective date claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD. Therefore, these issues are being remanded.