PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant a rating higher than 30 percent prior to April 18, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and TDIU.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, adjustment disorder and psychosis.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, as it is at least as likely as not that these conditions began during the appellant's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to incomplete records, lack of proper notification for a VA examination, and need for updated information regarding employment status.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions of record are not adequate and the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled examination. The claim is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to February 12, 2013. From February 12, 2013 through January 4, 2016, he received a 50% rating. However, from January 5, 2016 onwards, his PTSD was rated as not meeting the criteria for any higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for PTSD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The cases are remanded for further development of records and consideration.

Service connection granted for tinnitus and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, with a 10% rating assigned. PTSD is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 70%, but TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 10, 2018. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective November 8, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Agoraphobia, is granted as service connected. The Board found an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's mental state at the time of his discharge, and a VA medical examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim of a rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD and his TDIU claim are both being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension was dismissed. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) from March 27, 2012 to December 15, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and PTSD), all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Cushing’s syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was established for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current hearing loss and active service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and for further development regarding the pyogenic lung abscess, postoperative claim. The earlier effective date claim for PTSD is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed because he died during the pendency of his claim, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.