PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is rated at 40 percent for moderate bradykinesia of the right upper extremity, with a 30 percent rating for moderate bradykinesia of the left upper extremity. The lower extremities are not rated higher.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of PTSD due to lack of a medical opinion linking his current foot disability or PTSD to service. The case will be returned after further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with nightmare disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to August 2, 2011. The Board finds that the symptoms do not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a current disability as defined by VA regulatory criteria.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Veteran received the correct amount of retroactive payment for his increased combined disability rating from September 24, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in 1990 and again in 2007. The Board found no CUE to grant an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 24, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a higher rating than the initial 30 percent assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, spinal scoliosis, and other physical impairments, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence supports the award of TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from May 29, 2008 to December 28, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder/dysthymic mood, is rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70% or higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the criteria for mental disorders. The symptoms include neglect of personal hygiene, mood swings, anxiety, sleep impairment, flashbacks, avoidance of triggers, impaired memory and concentration, restricted range of affect, outbursts of anger, hypervigilance, feelings of helplessness, a chronic sad mood, diminished interest in most activities, excessive worrying and feelings of guilt, isolation, feelings of worthlessness, recurrent thoughts of death, and panic attacks. The rating is granted as the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective June 29, 2007. The Veteran also has a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and TDIU beginning June 11, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual employability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for a higher rating of anxiety disorder and service connection for PTSD were both found to be lacking sufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and did not find new and material evidence to reopen the claim of a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety, finding that there was no medical nexus linking his current psychiatric condition to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected PTSD with depressed mood and prescribed medications, but further development of evidence is needed before a final determination can be made.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective January 11, 2011. The Board also granted an effective date of January 11, 2011 for a TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and a need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to his disability benefits.