PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level.

The Board has determined that there was not adequate evidence of sustained improvement in the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder to warrant a reduction, and thus restored the 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and will return it for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently manifested by no more than level I hearing impairment in the right ear and level II hearing impairment in the left ear, warranting a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling since September 4, 2012. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma has been rated at 60 percent, and she meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder, are related to her service, particularly her reported personal/sexual assault during active duty. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence in equipoise to support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 27, 2007. The VA determined that the condition meets the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's cause of death, a stroke and dementia, was not caused by his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent from November 9, 2005, and at 50 percent since September 22, 2006.,Service connection for a low back disorder has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD with dysthymia and depression, as well as his requests for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating. The claims were previously denied in August 2005 due to severance of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms consistent with occupational and social impairment that involves a reduced reliability and productivity, resulting in an initial rating of 50 percent.

The Board found that an effective date earlier than April 21, 2009 is not warranted for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depression, alcohol abuse, and cannabis abuse. The Veteran's claim was denied in a March 2006 rating decision, which became final. A new claim to reopen the previously denied PTSD claim was filed on April 21, 2009, after the January 2008 denial of new and material evidence. The Board also found that there is no evidence in the claims file prior to April 21, 2009 which can be interpreted as a claim to reopen the previously denied PTSD claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective March 14, 2013. The Board finds that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to the severity and persistence of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further procedural action regarding his claims of increased PTSD rating and service connection for invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma and colon adenoma villous, as well as for consideration of additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits prior to April 27, 2011 was granted. His claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD were denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his service.,PTSD ratings were granted at 30% prior to March 11, 2010 and increased to 50% thereafter.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric condition is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during active service.