PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding PTSD, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal for reinstating apportionment of the Veteran's benefits to his dependent mother was dismissed as he is not a proper claimant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for status post excision of malignant melanoma on the right scapular area, claimed as skin cancer, has been reopened. The evidence submitted relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.,Service connection was denied for dermatoheliosis (skin rash) due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and shrapnel wound to scrotum with acute epididymitis, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment as of June 1, 2012. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran's hypertension and CFS claims have been reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 6, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran may have an acquired psychiatric disability associated with his period of active service and orders a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any such disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 19, 2008 for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for a disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder were not met from May 17, 2011 onwards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder, left ear hearing loss, and left knee disorder. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD. The issue of service connection for HTN remains pending as additional development is required.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent from July 19, 2013. The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the period prior to July 19, 2013.,From July 19, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is manifested by symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals that interfere with his routine activities, unprovoked irritability and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances. The Board has found these symptoms more nearly approximate a 70 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye disabilities, residuals of inner head injury, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation as they are generally consistent with the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. His alcohol dependence was noted to be in remission.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left ear hearing loss rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from October 22, 1975 through November 30, 1983.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was rated at 70 percent from April 1, 2011 to August 30, 2011 and again from December 1, 2011 to August 14, 2016. From August 15, 2016, the Veteran's PTSD disability was rated at 100 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, can be decided.