PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection, and his PTSD is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines. The hearing loss claim remains pending, as does the TDIU issue.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a verified in-service stressor for PTSD and his current acquired psychiatric disorder, other than anxiety disorder and to include depression, is not service connected.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating effective February 25, 2010.,Effective September 14, 2014, the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were denied, while his claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Affective Disorder are at least as likely as not related to service, specifically his experience in Somalia where he was attacked by Somalian soldiers. The diagnosis of PTSD is supported by lay testimony and corroborated military personnel records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and service personnel records.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and rated at 100% effective March 31, 2004. The Appellant Attorney received a fee of 20% of the past-due benefits awarded for this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran needs another VA examination to clarify these diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and are consistent with his service. The Veteran's PTSD is therefore granted as it meets all criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50% and his coronary artery disease (CAD) is rated at 30%. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective October 19, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling since February 29, 2012. The Board finds that a higher 70 percent rating is warranted from the effective date of service connection on February 29, 2012.,The Veteran does not meet criteria for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss or hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested, at worst, by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from November 18, 2010. The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his anxiety disorder was not incurred in or caused by active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's blindness is found to be the result of a disease (pars planitis) that had its initial onset during active duty service. Service connection for PTSD has been granted, and the issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for blindness is moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD more nearly approximates deficiencies in most areas, but not total and social occupational impairment prior to March 23, 2016. The criteria for an initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no more, for service-connected PTSD are met.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including depression, mood disorder, and anxiety with sleep disorder, is found to be related to service. However, the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion assessing the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's back disorder is currently rated at 40% and his PTSD is rated at 30%. Both conditions are not granted higher ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks, nightmares/sleep impairment, memory loss, flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that a disability rating of 50 percent is warranted for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period. As of December 20, 2012, but no earlier, his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.