PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and PTSD, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression has been rated at 70 percent since May 4, 1982, and the Board granted a restoration of his original 10 percent evaluation for neurological manifestations of degenerative joint disease and disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for PTSD, and his current psychiatric disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 26, 2011, and he is granted TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than anxiety with depressive disorder and PTSD. The claim of new and material evidence was granted, but the main issue of service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been primarily manifested by symptoms such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, and arousal symptoms. The disability is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD resulting from military sexual trauma, finding that there was no credible evidence of the alleged assault and ruling out a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran also had other diagnosed psychiatric conditions but these were not found to be related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition existed prior to service. The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are linked to his in-service sexual abuse by priests.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting the severity of his symptoms such as depressed mood and anxiety. The rating does not account for more severe impairment in social or occupational functioning.

The Board finds that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted, as his PTSD contributed substantially to his death.

The Board found that the appellant was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 22, 2010, and thus denied an effective date earlier than this date for the award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from April 25, 2016 to October 6, 2017 and increased to 70 percent effective October 6, 2017.,Prior to October 6, 2017, the Veteran met criteria for a 70% rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar posterior calcaneal spurs was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been found to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since February 17, 2009. The TDIU is granted.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, with dysthymia and bilateral pes planus effective March 13, 2009. The Veteran's claims for right knee and left knee disabilities were also granted but assigned an earlier effective date of January 22, 2010.

The Board has determined that further development of the record is necessary to comply with VA's duty to assist the Veteran in the development of facts pertinent to his appeal for service connection for a psychological disorder, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating. The other issues were either not granted or did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was initially denied in March 2009 due to lack of verified stressor. However, the evidence now shows that the Veteran has a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD dating back to May 5, 2009. Therefore, an effective date of May 5, 2009 is granted for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to service, including his alleged MST during confinement in San Diego. The claim is also reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disability, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.