PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to November 26, 2013 and in excess of 70 percent from that date for PTSD.

The Veteran's child is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because she was over the age of 26 at the time her father became permanently and totally disabled.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The reduction in rating for his left knee instability from 10 percent to 0 percent, effective March 1, 2017, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms most closely approximate the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating, warranting denial of an increased evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes prior to September 13, 2010 or after that date, and there was insufficient medical evidence linking his PTSD symptoms to in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, as well as right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's initial rating claim for left/bilateral hearing loss will be adjudicated after the grant of service connection for his right ear.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to February 4, 2017 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations were denied due to the lack of service connection criteria being met.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to May 20, 2015.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including contusion of the right hand, hypertension, headaches, bilateral foot disorder, left hand disorder, sleep apnea, herpes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and MDD with psychotic features, have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to November 5, 2016. The Board found that a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and bilateral eye disability (photophobia) are all related to her service-connected migraines.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent disabling since August 4, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 7, 2017. The symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder, is related to his service. The claim for insomnia was not granted as secondary to a service-connected disability. Hypertension was not granted as incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran is also found to be unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD and thus entitled to TDIU.