PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's TBI residuals and PTSD have been granted service connection, with a 70% disability rating for PTSD effective October 31, 2013. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but did not find such evidence in the case of a claim for PTSD. The decision on the left wrist disability is pending as it was previously denied based on lack of line-of-duty status.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as service connected due to a confirmed in-service stressor related to combat in the Vietnam War.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability (severe psychotic depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder) due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, it has been determined that there is no link between the Veteran's current PTSD diagnosis and an in-service stressor, specifically being hit by a chair during active duty. The claim for TBI and its residuals was also denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no intervening claim prior to November 18, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted effective April 12, 2013. He is currently rated at 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 14, 2014 and 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence showing a current psychiatric disorder. However, the evidence does not establish that the Veteran currently suffers from PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, while his acquired psychiatric disability is not shown to be due to service. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted based on his reported in-service personal assaults and combat experiences.

The Board has granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for the service-connected PTSD, effective from August 19, 2010. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings and TDIU remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate was received in February 2015. The effective date assigned is February 19, 2015, but no earlier. However, his claim for a higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of A&A for his spouse has been denied as there was already retroactive grant of benefits during the period when his spouse needed aid and attendance.

The Veteran is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 16, 1968 to October 19, 1994 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, and denied entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 21, 2009 and denied for a higher rating. Since October 27, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and outstanding VA treatment records, and the Veteran's request for a hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as likely as not, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. The Board finds that the service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment and TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations in the original decision. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse and dementia resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating. The decision granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU.