PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 8, 1999. The Board finds that the current rating of 70 percent is appropriate as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, but his TDIU claim for the period prior to January 30, 2014 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 3, 2015. The rating is granted as the symptoms have not yet reached a level of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain missing service records and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion using DSM-IV criteria. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disability, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his combined rating of 60% for PTSD, left hand disability, and left wrist disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include seeking an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the issues of service connection and rating for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right wrist disability is granted, with a noncompensable evaluation.,The Veteran's compensable scars from the right leg are maintained. The current evidence does not support an increase in the rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for PTSD and left ankle disorder. These claims are remanded for further review.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, trichotillomania, and asthma due to Agent Orange exposure and smoke inhalation.,The Veteran's heart condition and spinal disorder have not been established as service-connected.,The Veteran's dental disorders do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is now granted. His bilateral hearing loss claim was denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, but the Board is remanding to determine if it contributed to or aggravated his arteriosclerotic heart disease and/or ventricular fibrillation.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD or an anxiety disorder, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at the minimum level of 10 percent.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders and his active military service, including an alleged assault in service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is related to his reported in-service stressors and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and TBI, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to an in-service assault. The Veteran's other claims have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 6, 2015, is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, but the RO assigned a 30 percent disability rating. The Veteran appealed for an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, finding credible supporting evidence of the Veteran's in-service exposure to a noncombat-related stressor and an approximate balance of favorable and unfavorable evidence as to whether he has a current diagnosis related to this stressor.