PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for shin splints, residuals of frostbite in the bilateral feet, and PTSD have all been denied as there is no current disability found to be related to service.,No examination was provided due to lack of evidence showing a present disability.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance and being housebound. The Court found that the Board’s decision was unclear regarding the adequacy of a March 2008 VA opinion, as well as the scope of an August 2014 VA examination. The case is remanded to obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated during military service and is not related to a service event, illness, or injury. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of evidence, including obtaining a VA psychologist's opinion on whether the Veteran’s service-connected PTSD caused or contributed to his death. The claim will be adjudicated again after these actions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluation claims due to his withdrawal of those appeals during a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, with the exception of left leg cellulitis. The remaining conditions are granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective November 22, 2006. Effective May 13, 2013, the rating for PTSD increased to 100 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and coronary artery disease render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, tinnitus received a 10 percent rating, and PTSD remained at the 50 percent level.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was rated at 50 percent effective December 17, 1984. This rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and PTSD. The claim for right hip disability remains pending as new evidence has not been provided to reopen it. The rating for lumbar osteoarthritis needs to be reconsidered.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for accrued benefits, VA death pension benefits, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to withdrawal of claims by the appellant. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating. The appeal for other conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the occipital scalp scar and dismissed the motion for an earlier effective date for PTSD based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a remand for further evaluation and development, including an updated VA examination. The TDIU claim is also within the jurisdiction of the Board and should be developed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA guidelines. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the reduction of furunculosis rating from 60% to 10% was proper, but denied the restoration of PTSD rating from 50% to 70%. The Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a reduction in his furunculosis rating.