PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition related to in-service stressors. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood claim was granted, and the case is remanded for further examination regarding sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide a new medical opinion considering all available records and the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to January 15, 2013. The rating remains at 50 percent thereafter. This decision grants a higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that an initial rating higher than 70 percent is not warranted. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to any decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee and foot disabilities, right knee disability, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, chronic liver disease, pancreatitis, atherosclerotic renal disease (chronic kidney disease), diabetes mellitus type II, psychiatric disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea. The decision was based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his acute coronary syndrome, leading to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 29, 2016.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities from March 16, 2009.,A separate TDIU rating for PTSD alone was also granted effective September 19, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The appeal is granted as it relates to this issue.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate, and thus remanding for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, sinus condition (including Sinusitis), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus was found to be caused by military noise exposure. Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is rated at 40 percent for moderate bradykinesia of the right upper extremity, with a 30 percent rating for moderate bradykinesia of the left upper extremity. The lower extremities are not rated higher.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of PTSD due to lack of a medical opinion linking his current foot disability or PTSD to service. The case will be returned after further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with nightmare disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to August 2, 2011. The Board finds that the symptoms do not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a current disability as defined by VA regulatory criteria.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Veteran received the correct amount of retroactive payment for his increased combined disability rating from September 24, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in 1990 and again in 2007. The Board found no CUE to grant an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 24, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a higher rating than the initial 30 percent assigned.