PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes, neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, bilateral retinopathy, and depression with PTSD are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran is assigned a 10 percent disability rating for each condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an addendum from the September 2015 examiner to determine the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses during the appeal period.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is found to be related to service and granted.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was granted a 70% rating from December 7, 2007 to September 8, 2014.,Since September 9, 2014, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is rated at 100%. The Veteran's symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; a back disability; and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's symptoms are currently evaluated as moderate in severity.

Prior to January 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. Total social and occupational impairment was not shown.,In January 2013 and February 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was productive of total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since his reported last date of employment in October 2010.

The Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal for an additional increase in his PTSD rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective July 7, 2004, based on new evidence showing his receipt of the Purple Heart award.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to keep the scheduled personal hearing. The case will be rescheduled for a video hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not result in his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 24, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 18, 2013. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to December 19, 2013. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for temporary total rating, service connection for COPD, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depression was not addressed as it involves issues referred to another RO.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no legal basis to assign an earlier effective date than August 24, 2010.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia, initially manifested in service or is otherwise etiologically related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, personality disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitates a grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.