PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% disabling effective July 26, 2010. As a result of this rating, he is eligible for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to having additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more (housebound rate). The Veteran's TDIU claim is moot as his PTSD alone meets the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Board hearing. The appeal is not ready for final decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is not associated with a verified in-service stressor event and was more likely related to his childhood trauma and stressful experiences outside of active service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his claim for an effective date prior to October 5, 2006 was denied. The issue of TDIU is part of the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision is final as to these issues.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal with respect to all issues pending before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's puretone thresholds were within normal limits during her military service and there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of any recent treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The bilateral lower extremity rash was not service connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a medical examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with a 100% disability rating, effective February 25, 2005. The Veteran's claustrophobia claim was denied as there was no new and material evidence submitted.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, which are linked to stressors he experienced during service. The Board finds that these diagnoses meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a psychiatric examination and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The appeal is being remanded due to missing documents and the need for additional treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 21, 1999. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further review of the evidence submitted since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his current diagnosis of PTSD is causally related to an in-service personal assault. The Veteran was discharged from active duty due to a lack of productivity and was later diagnosed with PTSD following this discharge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and alcohol abuse as secondary to PTSD are denied. The Veteran is granted service connection for headaches, with a 10% rating prior to June 16, 2011, and a 30% rating thereafter. Service connection for PTSD is granted at various levels of severity from June 7, 2008, to December 28, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective July 29, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, and disturbances of motivation and mood.