PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus are rated at their maximum levels, but the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. However, it is denied as there is no evidence that his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and hearing loss disabilities are rated at 70 percent combined, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD in January 1985, and this decision is final. The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date back to April 1983, but the Board found that VA did not receive relevant records at the time of the original decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected due to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service in Korea.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is not related to his active service and there was no credible evidence of a stressor. The claimant did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 1, 2012 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD. He also has basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits as of the same date.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a finding that he experienced an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.,From June 30, 2006, the Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the citation date, but is now granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from July 29, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to May 12, 2014 and 30 percent thereafter. The right foot chronic strain is rated at 20 percent.,PTSD symptoms include anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the award of service connection, which is considered a full grant of his appeal for an initial rating.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as sleep apnea, seizure disorder, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), left leg disability, and right ear hearing loss have been denied due to lack of evidence establishing service connection.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from July 2012 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and ischemic heart disease, preventing him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel and medical records, as well as a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD and his diagnosed psychiatric disorders are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a 50% or higher evaluation based on the severity of his impairment. For TDIU, the Veteran meets the schedular requirements with combined service-connected disability ratings totaling 80%, but the evidence does not show he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.