PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and generalized anxiety disorder prior to November 23, 2015 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The RO granted a disability rating of 70 percent for this period.

The Board has determined that it does not have proper jurisdiction over the claim at this time due to an initial denial of the waiver for the 2014 calendar year and a lack of a statement of the case. The case is remanded for the AOJ to issue a statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran's stressors need to be verified, his psychiatric records should be obtained, and a VA examination is required to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders and diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in 1997 due to insufficient evidence of a stressor. The case is remanded as new records received in 2011 may affect the effective date of the grant of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of mandibular gingival disability and bilateral knee condition, but granted restoration of his PTSD rating to 70% effective June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's heart disability (including coronary artery disease), hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 5, 2013 and denied a higher rating. After April 5, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent and also denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder was found to cause occupational and social impairment, but not severe enough for a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic major depression is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and updated records.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due solely to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected. The cases for a bilateral eye condition, heart disorder secondary to PTSD, and diabetes mellitus secondary to arthritic disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of hypertension and PTSD, as well as his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. More contemporaneous examinations are needed to evaluate these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with his dementia, necessitates regular aid and attendance. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder has been rated at 70 percent since March 26, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a mischaracterization of his service-connected disabilities and the need for updated information. A VA examination is required to reassess his PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Board partially vacates its decision, denying a higher rating for PTSD for the periods from August 1, 2007 to June 23, 2010 and from August 13, 2010 to April 9, 2013. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his in-service hazardous noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from caring for some of his daily personal needs and rendered him unable to protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that an effective date of October 14, 2011 is warranted for the grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to May 16, 2013 is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notification regarding increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and insomnia due to lack of new and material evidence.