PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for initial evaluations and ratings on multiple conditions has been dismissed as the claims have all been withdrawn. The TDIU claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an effective date prior to September 21, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was withdrawn. The claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no current diagnosis of a right ear hearing loss disability.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim was denied because he does not meet the VA standards under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 for a current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the lack of a timely Notice of Disagreement and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. His abdominal scar, residual of shell fragment wound, is rated at a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining records from Eglin Air Force Base and VA medical records. The claims for PTSD, depression, and heart condition are intertwined with the claim for service connection of a scar from heart surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and updated treatment records. The issue of TDIU has also been raised.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his service and have established a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for this disorder, and he is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right eye blindness, and facial scarring, are of such severity that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD and traumatic brain injury residuals have been rated at 70 percent, which is the highest rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The irritable bowel syndrome has also received a 30 percent rating since July 15, 2013, but no higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to establish the Veteran's entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability with associated surgical scar and nerve damage. Therefore, no further development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, low back strain, and left hip bursitis) have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The Board also found that there was no failure to treat sepsis during VA care.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for PTSD, service connection for migraines, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant an increased rating greater than 70 percent, as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA examination and a need for updated mental health treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and depression. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings were denied. The Veteran was not granted higher ratings for sleep apnea or TBI, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity for the entire period on appeal, warranting a 50 percent rating.