PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left hip strain, and tinnitus, effectively preclude her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also denied entitlement to TDIU as there was no evidence showing that the Veteran could not secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment due solely to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD was granted at 50 percent prior to February 7, 2013. From July 1, 2013 to June 4, 2014, the rating was increased to 70 percent. After that date, a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and occasional sleep impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vitiligo and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to incomplete records and lack of medical opinions. The Veteran must be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to military service.

The Board has reopened the claim and found new evidence sufficient to establish a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection due to lack of a current disability.

The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is remanded. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD was denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his hearing loss, as his audiometric results were within non-compensable limits. For PTSD, there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records, thus denying the claim.

The appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD is dismissed because the March 2011 Board decision, which denied a rating in excess of 50 percent, became final.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating, with no increase in rating sought or warranted.,Low back disability receives a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is dismissed. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

Service connection granted for PTSD, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, and Depressive Disorder due to in-service stressors.,Service connection denied for Right Hip Claudication, Left Hip Claudication, Abdominal Disorder, and GI Disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding other issues including a sleep disorder, heart disease, PTSD, and effective dates.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are at least as likely as not caused by an in-service stressor related to his wife's miscarriage while he was aboard a submarine. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.