PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of October 31, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely due to service-connected disabilities as of that date.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for dizziness, right ankle disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, thoracolumbar strain with sacroiliac degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left ankle ligament strain, and PTSD. The remand requests additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD due to lack of a definitive opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to suicidal ideation and other symptoms falling within the current 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board also remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and a higher rating for depression with PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney requesting withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has determined that new evidence does not warrant reopening the claim for service connection of prostate cancer. The Veteran's right index finger disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds additional development needed to determine if a compensable rating should be assigned. The issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and sleep disorder) is remanded.

Service connection for PTSD and insomnia is granted. The Veteran's right heel scar remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal seeking to establish that he filed a timely notice of disagreement (NOD) with the November 2007 rating decision was denied. The Board also remanded several issues for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased evaluation for PTSD, and as a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in April 2016. The claim will be adjudicated based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective January 31, 2012. The Board has remanded the issues of an earlier effective date for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU and SMC prior to December 20, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension, to include as secondary to PTSD, have been reopened. However, the claims are denied due to lack of a current diagnosis for PTSD and no causal link between hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The initial rating for PTSD prior to December 7, 2016 is granted at 70%. A higher rating in excess of 70% for PTSD after December 7, 2016 remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic venous stasis vascular disease in both legs, and ankle sores due to undiagnosed illness, have resulted in an inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, feed himself without assistance, attend to the wants of nature on a regular basis, and protect himself from daily hazards. The Veteran needs aid and attendance for these reasons.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, as his symptoms have worsened since the last examination. The issues related to increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a link between the Veteran's in-service military sexual trauma and his current psychiatric disorder. The other issues were dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the increase in his PTSD rating has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was restored to a 20 percent rating, effective November 21, 2014.,A higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,PTSD was granted an initial rating of 100 percent from December 26, 2017, and the Veteran's TDIU claim prior to October 7, 2014, remains pending.,The issue of a total disability due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities (TDIU) was remanded.