PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 21, 2006. The Board found that the evidence demonstrates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the appeal period, warranting a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD due to the need for further evaluation and evidence collection.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board also granted a TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The claims for service connection for low back disability, left foot nerve disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches are all granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on the presumption of exposure to Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher initial disability rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to February 15, 2017 have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The examiner is required to provide a new opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100% but the Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to determine if his disability results in total and permanent occupational and social impairment, thus denying a permanent and total rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches and PTSD due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's representative raised a secondary service connection theory, and the examiner did not find PTSD based on the provided criteria.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and service or service-connected headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and recurrent major depressive disorder have rendered him unable to secure or maintain employment, so the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 7, 2012. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran’s PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas of his life.

The July 1999 rating decision granted service connection for PTSD with an effective date of February 19, 1998. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new and material evidence submitted by the VA in April 1984, which included a certificate from the service department recognizing her efforts processing human remains after a terrorist bombing. This certificate required reconsideration of the previous denial of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol, cocaine and cannabis abuse is not manifested by total occupational and social impairment. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for this condition has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The Veteran also appealed for TDIU but was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claim of reopening a previously denied claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorder, major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and impulse control disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions, and now requires additional development including obtaining updated VA records and a new examination for an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.