PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board previously denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from November 1, 2007, to August 3, 2009. The appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining allegations of error.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his military service and supported by medical evidence. Service connection for Bipolar Disorder II in partial remission is denied.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 80 percent from June 25, 2007 meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. However, the evidence does not show that he was precluded from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than anxiety and mood disorders, to include PTSD, polysubstance abuse, and/or bipolar disorders, to also include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability, and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 1, 2014. The Board is granting a 100 percent rating for PTSD.,The Veteran's sole service-connected disability (PTSD) does not meet the criteria for TDIU as it is already receiving a 100 percent schedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran does not qualify for SMC in excess of the (n) rate due to lack of service-connected disabilities involving either upper extremity, lower extremities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, or loss of sphincter control. He is permanently bedridden and helpless as per his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to missing records and a need to comply with the Court's decision. The Veteran testified that he filed a claim for service connection in or about 1972, but his claims file was not merged with his father's file, which may contain relevant documents.

The Board has granted service connection for a laceration of the left third finger over the distal aspect of the proximal phalanx on the radial side, finding that it is related to the Veteran's military service. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and left ear hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance and at the housebound rate is denied as her need for aid and attendance is due to nonservice-connected disabilities, not service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin condition due to exposure to herbicides are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to active service and the Board grants the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied in a November 2009 rating decision. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim, thus denying it. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, visual impairment (blindness), and sleep apnea have been denied. The fungal infection of skin and bilateral flatfeet with arthritis are established but not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of aid and attendance, warranting SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for a low back condition was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating for PTSD, as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant such a high rating.

The Veteran's PTSD renders him in need of the aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss (also claimed as pain in left ear) was reopened, and his PTSD resulted in a disability rating of 70 percent. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes obtaining relevant medical records, verifying stressors, and providing a VA examination.