PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not file an informal claim for service connection for PTSD prior to October 5, 2010. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD is therefore set at October 5, 2010.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to June 5, 2017. A 100 percent rating for PTSD was awarded from June 5, 2017.,Service connection for right and left knee meniscal tears, hypertension, sleep apnea, a back disorder, and a left hip disorder were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 2012. The Board is remanding the case to obtain VA treatment records from the James Lovell VA facility and for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is evaluated at a 50 percent rating, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for higher or lower ratings based on his other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, anxiety and depression, and PTSD have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of an in-service onset or causation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and hypertension.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but he does not have current hearing loss for VA purposes. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as the issue of PTSD has been addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective August 13, 1998. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the disorder or any other mental health disorder. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and Boeck's sarcoidosis were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was diagnosed during service and is presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy, which supports his claim for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a diagnosis of PTSD. The VA will schedule an examination and review the records to determine if service connection can be granted for the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment for the entire period on appeal. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and reopened the claim for hepatitis C, finding that new evidence supports reopening of the hepatitis C claim. The Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service personal assault events, while his hepatitis C may be related to service but requires further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and thyroid disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to active duty service.