PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge was dishonorable, and thus his service is a bar to VA benefits. The appeal for severance of service connection for PTSD, Parkinson's disease, and residuals of a right hand injury with amputation was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not a result of service or etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma. The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are also found to be service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of in-service injury, and his current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 10, 2008. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol and substance abuse disorders, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,For the initial rating period from November 3, 2003 to January 24, 2013, a higher disability rating of 70 percent was granted for the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for vision loss and blindness, as well as his claims for PTSD, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and employment information.

The Veteran is awarded SMC-O based on the need for two separate SMC-L awards due to loss of use of both feet and need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of any psychiatric disability present during the appeal period. The Veteran may have had an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, at some point during the appeal period and it is unclear if this condition was related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, finding that the Veteran's in-service exposure to noncombat-related stressors during his Marine Corps service is credible and sufficient to establish a diagnosis of PTSD. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's lay testimony regarding his symptoms since service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for a TDIU and SMC.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to June 19, 2013 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent. Beginning June 19, 2013, his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his failure to complete the VA Form 21-8940 made it impossible for the Board to determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, are granted service connection. The claim for PTSD is pending as additional evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral inguinal herniography residuals did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating prior to March 19, 2009. From March 19, 2009, there is no legal entitlement to a compensable rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral inguinal herniography residuals have not required at least one month of convalescence or resulted in severe postoperative residuals as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted effective May 14, 2010. The initial rating assigned is 30%.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 30 percent, and his PTSD was granted service connection. The personality disorder claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a disease or injury subject to compensation benefits.