PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is remanded. The appeal regarding the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim filed before September 26, 2014.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted as service connected. The appeals for jungle rot, PTSD, insomnia, and bruxism are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted on November 2, 2011, the day following his discharge from active military service. The effective date is set at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision also requires further examination and research into the Veteran's reported in-service experiences.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding his psychiatric disorders and vocal cord disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at various levels of disability, and the TDIU claim for periods prior to January 24, 2014 is remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and tinnitus are remanded due to new evidence submitted since previous decisions. The issues have been reopened but further development is needed.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for PTSD because the Veteran died before a decision was made. The cause of death appeal is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, tinnitus, bilateral pseudophakia, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has led to a TDIU effective May 19, 2011 due to his inability to maintain employment since then.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, with depressive symptomatology and anxiety is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the PTSD rating, so the issue is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The PTSD claim is remanded for a VA examination, and the TDIU claim is dependent on the ratings of the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD and insomnia is rated at 70 percent, but the Board has granted a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensably (zero percent) disabling. The Board finds that the findings of the VA audiological examinations do not support a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss at any time during the appeal period. For the service connection and TDIU issues, additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of PTSD and whether other psychiatric disorders are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder (previously characterized as PTSD), finding that no formal or informal claim was received prior to April 5, 2007.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and schizophrenia, finding that his current psychiatric disorders had their onset during service or are otherwise related to active service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on any in-service stressor. The Board also found no evidence linking current psychiatric disorders to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The VA needs to obtain private treatment records and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased PTSD rating and TDIU prior to June 28, 2017.