PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 50 percent from May 17, 2011 to January 24, 2016. The rating was increased to 70 percent effective December 22, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling as of June 4, 2004. The Board found that the symptoms and overall impairment caused by his psychiatric disability more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from August 19, 2008. The RO has granted service connection for this condition and assigned a separate rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected GAD with PTSD, which is more than the current 50 percent rating. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the hysterectomy claim. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, sinus disorder, and right knee disorder have been denied. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI ratings were improperly reduced, and the original ratings of 50% for PTSD and 40% for TBI are restored.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder. The issue of entitlement to service connection for heart disease is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether his headache disability is secondary to service-connected PTSD or rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of skin cancer is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran has established entitlement to SMC-L based on loss of use of his legs due to his service-connected back disorder, knee disorders and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities. He also qualifies for SMC-O and SMC-R(1) based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. For the lumbar spine disorder, the VA examiner concluded that the condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's PTSD and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right thumb fracture, and tinnitus, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and ADHD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

Service connection established for lower extremity radiculopathy and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression).,A 40 percent rating was granted for the lumbar spine disorder prior to September 23, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 10 percent rating was granted for the lumbar spine disorder as of September 23, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 60 percent rating was granted for the cardiac disorder prior to February 25, 2013. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating prior to January 13, 2015. From January 13, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD caused more significant impairment, qualifying for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 6, 2014.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, dysthymic disorder and adjustment disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address in-service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment.