PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking an increased rating for PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive and panic disorders is rated at 50 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his disability. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on MST, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his reported military sexual trauma.,Service connection was also established for tinnitus, with the Board concluding that noise exposure during active duty is causally linked to the condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 26, 2004. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor. The Veteran's service includes exposure to witnessing another servicemember being shot, which is considered a verified stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of allergic rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), onychomycosis, and hypertension. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure or other diseases associated with such exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. His bilateral hearing loss disability remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected vascular headaches are currently rated at 30 percent prior to December 12, 2008 and at 50 percent from that date. The claim for a compensable rating for vascular headaches is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective July 21, 2007. The symptoms include mild chronic sleep impairment, occasional panic attacks, mild memory loss, disturbances of mood and motivation, flattened affect, intrusive thoughts, startling easily, weekly nightmares, and hypervigilance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Tinnitus, and Bilateral Hearing Loss) produced a combined disability rating of 60 percent from November 24, 2007 to March 8, 2010. However, the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability were not met during this period.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at May 18, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 5, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran did not present a credible or verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. His hypertension was manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly less than 110, systolic pressure predominantly less than 200, and continuous medication for control, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and folliculitis, as well as his claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his left knee disorder and a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and hypertension, with both issues now pending on their merits. Service connection was granted for PTSD based on evidence showing a diagnosis related to in-service combat exposure. The claim for hypertension is still pending as there is no indication that it is caused by Agent Orange exposure or aggravated by PTSD.