PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been rated at 100% for the entire claim period, effective November 19, 2008. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating. SMC at the housebound rate has been granted from April 19, 2016 to May 16, 2016, and from August 1, 2016 onward.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further development. The issues include PTSD, depression, hypertension, sinusitis, bilateral pes planus, right hand chemical burn, left knee injury, right tennis elbow and arm pain, bilateral shoulder pain, contusion to the neck, and residuals of a left ankle injury.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 25, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 8, 2011. The symptoms include suicidal ideation, irritability, hypervigilance, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is only marginally employed due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his abdominal disability is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings for PTSD and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD. The decision on the hearing loss claim is pending, while the PTSD claim is currently being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at a 70 percent evaluation, effective from the date of his initial claim to establish service connection. The Board affirms this decision and grants an additional remand for consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for her acquired psychiatric disorder has been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence supported a finding that she is entitled to a 70 percent disability rating, but not higher. The evaluation of her chronic lumbar spine disability remains pending and needs further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, finding that his symptoms began in service and have persisted since then.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors, as well as for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral cataracts and higher initial disability ratings for PTSD are being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records and a VA examination to his paperless claims file. The AOJ will review this evidence before making further decisions on these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made. The Board granted service connection for PTSD.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 14, 2012. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from September 14, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD rating of 50 percent is being remanded due to the possibility that his symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination in September 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records to assess his current mental disability severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives and failure to obtain certain medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, is now remanded.