PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to May 1, 2012, and 50 percent beginning May 1, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board has found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, but the issue of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending as there is insufficient information to determine its status.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected and rated at 70 percent. The Board found that his alcohol abuse disorder was not related to his military service or his service-connected PTSD, and denied the claim for an increased rating for left thigh and left foot pruritic fungus. The right buttock shell fragment wound with retained foreign body and scar of right frontal scalp shell fragment wound were also rated as appropriate.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was service-connected due to an in-service stressor, and granted his claim.

The Board denied the claims regarding CUE in the October 2008 rating decision for not assigning a separate compensable rating for alcohol dependence and remanded the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to November 18, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an increased rating for his low back disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to his low back disability, and TDIU. The Board found that the assigned schedular ratings adequately reflected the Veteran's disability picture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or other causation.

The Veteran seeks TDIU based on his service-connected coronary artery disease and PTSD. The Board has determined that the December 2016 VA examination is inadequate, and a remand is required to obtain an addendum opinion from the examiner or another appropriate medical professional.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to August 25, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms from September 30, 2014, more closely approximated a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the grant of service connection, effective from October 1, 2012. His TMJ is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from October 1, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder due to his incarceration and inability to attend a VA examination. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling since April 2, 2014. He also has a TDIU from November 15, 2013, and the effective date for his increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD was established as April 2, 2014.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The low back strain rating remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's asthma and PTSD have been granted service connection, but the effective date for the PTSD rating remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms of depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping due to recurring nightmares, intrusive thoughts, social isolation, and an average Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 58, resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Veteran was also found to be precluded from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records from Social Security Administration.

The Board found no evidence of a traumatic brain injury or acquired psychiatric disorder during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 4, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.