PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal regarding an initial disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in December 2018.

The Board has vacated the July 2017 decision denying increased evaluations for PTSD and a TDIU, due to notification issues. The case is now remanded for further action including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of a current diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.,Regarding service connection for cardiovascular disease, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents and/or as secondary to PTSD, there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current condition and any in-service exposures or service-connected conditions. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to insufficient information regarding his claimed stressors. The case is now pending further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the addition of new evidence, which requires a SSOC. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination, and he is requesting a higher rating. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination to assess his current condition.

The Veteran's PTSD, MDD, and alcohol dependence have not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent from April 1, 2010, to June 3, 2013.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed. The Board found no evidence of hearing loss in the right ear, denied a higher rating for PTSD, granted a TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities, and remanded several issues.

The Veteran's hypertension, kidney disorder, and PTSD were denied service connection.,PTSD was not found to be related to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling before June 13, 2018 and 70 percent disabling beginning June 13, 2018. The claim for increased ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA needs to obtain additional records and conduct further examinations to determine if the Veteran meets the DSM-5 criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and whether his current psychiatric disorders are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% disability rating as of April 22, 2009. The heart disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and anxiety, is dismissed because the issue has been granted in a January 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and additional service-connected disabilities rated at 60 percent or more. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from January 1, 2015.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The claims of service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a dental condition, and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims of service connection for PTSD and hypertension is granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 14, 2016 resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency. From October 14, 2016, the symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.