PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent since April 6, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating for this condition. The effective date of service connection remains August 1, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent throughout the appeal period, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and substance abuse is rated at 70 percent from December 23, 1997 through July 26, 2006, and from November 1, 2006 through August 27, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is denied. The earliest competent evidence linking PTSD to active service was in October 2007, and thus the December 30, 2008 effective date is appropriate as the later of the two dates.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100% since July 24, 2012, due to symptoms of auditory and visual hallucinations that cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and requests for medical records from a Vet Center in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as he has not been provided proper notification and updated VA examinations are needed to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 16, 2013. The Board is remanding the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right shoulder residuals and PTSD have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis was denied due to lack of evidence of exposure during service and the Veteran's own conflicting statements about his exposure. The claim for erectile dysfunction was not reopened because new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection for PTSD remains at 50 percent, with symptoms including depression, anxiety, sleep impairment, isolation, and auditory hallucinations.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted a 20% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% rating since May 31, 2012.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for depression and PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, but not higher. The Board found the evidence did not show considerable impairment of health.,PTSD was granted a 30% rating effective March 23, 2007. The Veteran argues for an earlier effective date, which the Board denied as it is factually ascertainable that PTSD had not worsened to warrant a higher rating prior to August 2, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, PTSD, and depression have been denied. The claim for neurologic disability (memory loss) is remanded due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and COPD, to include as secondary to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities led to his discharge from active duty, and he is now eligible for the maximum educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.