PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, but his secondary service connection claim for hypertension was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection. The other issues were either withdrawn or addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to July 20, 2016 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. Insomnia and headaches were not continuous or recurrent in service or since separation; tinnitus was not diagnosed within one year of separation from service; and there is no medical nexus between the current insomnia, headaches, or tinnitus and either active service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss. The preexisting left ear hearing loss at enlistment was not permanently worsened by active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and TDIU have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a confirmed in-service stressor related to his motor vehicle accident and was diagnosed with PTSD. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The claim for TDIU was also denied as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating of 30 percent for PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the severity of her PTSD and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the Veteran died before a decision was made on his request to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's trauma or stressor related disorder, previously evaluated as PTSD, is rated at 70 percent disabling from August 31, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was initially rated at 50 percent prior to October 11, 2016. The rating has since been increased to 100 percent effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown as likely as not to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 25, 2013. The current rating is higher than the maximum schedular rating for this disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has PTSD attributable to his confirmed in-service stressor of experiencing fires while aboard the USS Providence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.