PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with associated conditions have been rated at 70 percent since March 14, 2013. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is related to his active service. The claim for psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was also granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has PTSD related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination for PTSD and an assessment of his employability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of August 8, 2011. The Board found that the November 2007 rating decision denying service connection for a left ankle disorder did not contain CUE and denied reopening the claim for a left ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and diagnosed as adjustment disorder and anxiety disorder). As a result, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since January 19, 2011. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding no CUE in the November 2011 rating decision and concluding that there was not a reasonable basis to conclude that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor was unverified.

The Veteran's service-connected depression with PTSD and anxiety warrants a 70 percent rating for the entire period on appeal. The Board found that his symptoms cannot be distinguished from each other, so all psychiatric symptoms are considered in the adjudication of the claim.

The Board has found that the Veteran's depression and PTSD are service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's skin cancer and PTSD are not service connected, but he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for additional development due to concerns about the severity and functional impact of his condition, particularly in light of his other health issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased rating for erectile dysfunction are not currently before the Board. The claim for PTSD is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since August 30, 1996 to November 9, 2010, and from March 1, 2011. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date prior to July 6, 2001, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with mood disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted a higher rating of 30 percent for GERD. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, tinnitus at 10 percent, and bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the appeal period began, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. The Board found that his symptoms have resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.