PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The Board also remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU, as they are inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being sent back for an addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is related to his service-connected right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left ankle arthritis, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and mental health issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent from June 25, 2009 and increased to 70 percent effective as of that date. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and psoriasis with vitiligo, render him unemployable for gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the skin condition claim for tinea versicolor is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 28, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The effective date assigned is September 28, 2012, which is the date of the informal claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and substance use disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as it caused occupational and social impairment but not to such an extent that would warrant a 70% or 100% rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for his psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 25, 2017. From July 25, 2017, the rating remains at 30 percent due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied his claims for higher ratings. The appeal does not involve service connection via a presumption like PACT Act or Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and TDIU due to the lack of evidence supporting a relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, CAD, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, a link to an in-service stressor (a personal assault), and credible supporting evidence that the stressor occurred.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and delusional disorder is rated as 100 percent disabling effective June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for hearing loss, Parkinson's disease, a psychiatric disorder, a sleeping disorder, and PTSD. The issues are being addressed due to insufficient evidence or need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as it was received more than a year after discharge. The rectum sphincter control disability, GERD, and PTSD claims are granted with increased ratings. The hemorrhoids claim is denied. The right wrist and left wrist disabilities, and headaches claims are remanded.