PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's sole service-connected disability, PTSD, does not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder without agoraphobia has been rated at 70 percent since September 29, 2014. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the condition caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to occasional suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic attacks affecting his ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting), and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 30, 2016. A TDIU is granted effective August 9, 2010.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, as well as hypertension that is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound, as he is able to perform most daily activities with assistance when needed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure private treatment records and SSA disability determination.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement was January 31, 2011.,VA regulations do not allow for an earlier effective date for hepatitis B as it did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation prior to January 31, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, are related to his military sexual trauma in service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and addendum opinion to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any psychiatric disorder is related to service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating from June 19, 2009, to June 20, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 4, 2006.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for right cervical sensorimotor radiculopathy and found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since January 15, 2016, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his TBI residuals. The issues of PTSD rating, TDIU, and service connection for TBI are all inextricably intertwined and must be held in abeyance.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 70 percent prior to June 16, 2013.