PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not have a current psychiatric disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are granted, with an initial disability rating of 50% for unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, consisting of major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, has been rated at 70 percent since May 15, 2014. Prior to that date, the Board granted a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea and the VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of PTSD and hypertension, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and to determine if his hypertension is related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's anxiety and PTSD were rated at 30 percent prior to September 16, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were of similar severity to those associated with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and personnel records from the Department of Veterans Affairs. An updated VA examination is also required to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a credible in-service stressor, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, effective February 29, 2012. The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating since December 29, 1980.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted a 40 percent disability rating, effective November 28, 2006. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU based on a single service connected disability (PTSD and fibromyalgia).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating since May 21, 2014. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The claim for an earlier effective date of June 1, 2008, for a rating of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the February 2009 rating decision was not based on CUE and that there was no indication in the record that the RO failed to consider all evidence of record at the time.

Service connection for PTSD with MDD is granted, effective May 21, 2015. Service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the receipt of new VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if his disability has worsened since the last evaluation.