PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 13, 2008 was rated at 50 percent. Since then, the rating has been denied for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition related to an in-service stressor.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip arthralgia with arthritic changes is denied due to lack of flexion limited to 30 degrees or more.

The Veteran is granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD prior to September 26, 2017, based on symptoms such as anger, compulsive behaviors, mood swings, depression, chronic sleep impairment, irritability, and conflicts with family members. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits, other than health care under Chapter 17, Title 38, United States Code due to his willful and persistent misconduct.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hypertension make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, so he is granted TDIU.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined by a different examiner and requested an opinion on whether his diagnosed conditions are related to his military service or any in-service event, including witnessed enemy killings at the perimeter, subduing fellow service members, encountering snakes, and experiencing a military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to May 23, 2017, and a higher rating thereafter has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as the requested rating was granted and accepted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 3, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since August 9, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate those required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 16, 2010, due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's service connection for Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, a chronic disability manifested by loss of memory, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. Service connection is established for these conditions due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claim for vitiligo remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The effective date remains July 31, 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including recurrent headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, low back pain, knee problems, PTSD, hypertension, heart issues, pulmonary conditions, vision problems, and fatigue. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and conduct examinations to determine if these disabilities are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not shown to be related to service and is denied.

The Board finds insufficient evidence to make an informed decision on the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to December 2, 2010 and requests additional information from the Veteran and his former employer.