PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss result in unemployability due to their impact on his occupational functioning.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right hip strain, PTSD, and mood disorder have been granted service connection. The rating for the right hip strain has been increased to 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and panic disorder, has been granted. The Veteran was diagnosed with labral tear with degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder during his military service and continues to experience symptoms related to this diagnosis. His other mental health conditions are also considered as part of his claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that it would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure causing her current tinnitus, and therefore, service connection cannot be granted. For TDIU prior to February 10, 2015, the Veteran's combined disability rating did not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Board also found that her service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent disability evaluation.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in its dismissal.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative changes and PTSD, but denied service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be developed.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and tinnitus were denied as the earliest date of receipt of claim is later than the date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 17, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a new PTSD examination. The TDIU issue will also be considered.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, stress, depression, sleep disorder, and nightmares is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of the claims file.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during her active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, residuals of a left wrist injury, and psychiatric disorder have been denied as there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and found no clear and unmistakable error in the prior rating decisions.