PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as not being caused by his service-connected PTSD. A 50 percent rating for PTSD is granted, effective October 21, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding her current diagnoses and a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating prior to July 20, 2010.

The Veteran's left heel spur and early Dupuytren's contracture have been granted initial compensable ratings.,PTSD has been granted an initial 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 17, 2015, for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is denied as the minimum requirements for such compensation were not met prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the March 2015 VA examination and the Veteran's request for a rescheduling of an October 2017 VA examination for PTSD. The Veteran should be afforded another opportunity to undergo a VA examination consistent with DSM-5.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to January 26, 2016. The effective date for this rating has been granted as of June 14, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need to consider additional VA records, including a recent VA examination report.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to June 27, 2016, for PTSD due to the need for a retrospective opinion on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and service connection were denied. The right knee arthritis claim was granted with a 20% rating prior to November 8, 2016, and a 30% rating since January 1, 2018. A separate 20% rating for instability associated with the right knee disability from September 16, 2014 to November 8, 2016 was also granted. The left knee strain claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU benefits, which satisfies the Veteran's appeal as to all claims on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus denying an increased level of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for additional compensation for his spouse is granted, with an effective date of April 28, 2010.

The Board dismissed the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,An initial rating of 70 percent was granted for PTSD, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran’s GERD was denied an increased rating as his symptoms did not meet criteria warranting a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disabilities. The claims for bilateral wrist disability, breathing disability (including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), vision loss disability, cervical spine disability, dizziness, sleep disability, degenerative arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, lower extremities, elbow disability, scoliosis, and traumatic brain injury are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for memory loss is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 100 percent for PTSD is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim to reopen the issue of service connection for dermatitis is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for atopic dermatitis.,The Veteran's appeals of service connection for glaucoma and cataracts are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 20 percent for his throat disability is remanded.,The Veteran's appeals of service connection for a throat disability, glaucoma, and cataracts are remanded.