PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection and rated at 30%. The rating for fibromyalgia is denied. PTSD ratings prior to February 4, 2015, are denied. PTSD ratings from February 4, 2015, are also denied. An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information about his work history and income. Additional records are needed, including updated VA treatment records and a completed VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied as the evidence does not show clear and unmistakable error in prior denials.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of current evidence reflecting their severity.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for PTSD have been denied. The Veteran has no more than Level I hearing loss in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable disability rating. For his PTSD, the Board found that the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with nervous disorder has been rated at 70 percent since February 21, 2008. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher. The TDIU claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to in-service personal assault allegations. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychological disorder, including major depressive disorder, was granted. The claims to reopen PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder were also granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

An earlier effective date of April 5, 2011, is granted for the award of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). An effective date prior to December 3, 2012, is denied for the award of service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD).

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the issue of a higher initial rating for TBI. The Veteran is to be scheduled for an EMG examination.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no audiometric data showing entitlement to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bipolar disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete documentation in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and remanded the issues of a compensable rating for right ear sensorineural hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent throughout the appeals period, with symptoms including reduced reliability and productivity in work and social settings. The Board found that these symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service-connected back disability prevents him from working in sedentary positions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and he claims it warrants a higher rating due to worsening symptoms. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and sleep apnea have been rated at the maximum available ratings, with no further increase warranted based on current evidence.