PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating for PTSD and a higher rating for CAD due to new evidence received since the last decisions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 18, 2013, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a staged rating of 50 percent throughout prior to August 6, 2013, but no higher than 70 percent from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU effective May 19, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication of the claims, including a VA PTSD examination and addendum opinions on GERD, cervical spine, low back, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds that this rating does not accurately depict the severity of his disability and he should be rated at a higher level.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability or GERD. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted. The Board also remanded the claims of secondary service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the claimed conditions of residuals of head trauma, including PTSD, vision disability, and difficulty walking, are not attributable to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a current left great toe disability due to an in-service injury.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on all issues before the Board, including those related to PTSD ratings and service connection for a bilateral foot disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Erectile Dysfunction, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and was not caused by or permanently worsened in severity by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent effective October 10, 2016. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the period prior to April 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to military service or sexual harassment. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after this development.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent since May 13, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested with occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since September 3, 2009. The Board found that the current level of disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been manifested by total occupational and social impairment, thus a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. As the Veteran is already receiving a 100 percent rating for bronchial asthma with sleep apnea and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s), the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants staged ratings of 30 percent prior to February 14, 2008 and 50 percent (but no higher) from that date.