PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for Crohn’s disease is granted, and the claim is now considered. Service connection for Crohn’s disease is also granted.,A rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, effective from February 25, 2013, subject to controlling regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, related to his service in Vietnam. The decision also grants service connection for PTSD, despite conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran currently suffers from this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service event, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an effective date of January 16, 2007. He is also granted a 100% rating for his PTSD and total disability compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC). The issue of an extraschedular TDIU prior to January 16, 2007 remains outstanding.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all his pending appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The effective date of service connection is not being granted as it was received on July 11, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated as 50 percent disabling, hypertension is not service-connected, and the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the appellant is a helpless child of the Veteran and thus entitled to death pension benefits. However, her income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a helpless child throughout the relevant period. The appeal is REMANDED due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 80 percent combined, and are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since February 17, 2011. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, but only to reopen the claims. The claim for PTSD has not been reopened.,The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss or tinnitus had onset in active service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The appeal regarding left knee and foot disorders is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection, while his claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, respiratory disorder, sleep disturbances, GERD, headaches, and testicular pain are denied. The decision also includes remand items.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, MDD, Anxiety, Unspecified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder), and alcoholism have been reopened. The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to support these claims and grants them.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating greater than 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder prior to August 9, 2013 and for a rating greater than 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder from August 9, 2013. The remand requires that both former and current regulations pertaining to the evaluation of mental disorders be considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion, and a need for an adequate VA examination and opinion in accordance with the Court's order.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, including VA psychiatric treatment records linking a current PTSD diagnosis to an in-service traumatic stressor. Service connection is granted for PTSD with depression, anxiety, and polysubstance abuse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a cervical spine disability and denied his claim for service connection. For asthma, the Board found that the evidence did not support higher staged initial ratings beyond what was already assigned. For PTSD, the Board also found no basis to grant higher staged initial ratings beyond what was already assigned.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since February 14, 2013. A TDIU was granted from February 14, 2013 through February 16, 2015.