PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxious features, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination using DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with an effective date of August 19, 2014. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective June 1, 2016. The other claims were denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that new evidence received since the August 2010 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact of a verified in-service stressor. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with PTSD, but no in-service stressor sufficient to cause PTSD has been verified.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD and hepatitis C, as well as his TDIU claim, are all denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not show intermittent fatigue, malaise, or anorexia due to hepatitis C infection, which is required for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 18, 2000 for the award of service connection for PTSD and dismissed the claim for earlier effective date based on a finding of CUE in the February 2003 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right ear hearing loss, did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU during the period from September 27, 2005 to May 29, 2008. The combined rating of 60% was insufficient to warrant a TDIU under VA regulations.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal on the issues regarding PTSD and any acquired psychiatric condition. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and ensuring compliance with directives. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after any necessary development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment prior to July 8, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD based on a diagnosed condition, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, and continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection was not granted for hypertension as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service. The medical evidence does not support a link between current hypertension and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, anxiety and major depressive disorder has been granted. His headaches secondary to PTSD have also been granted as a separate issue.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to moderate impairment rather than total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and notifying the Veteran of any fees required to obtain these records. The claim will be adjudicated again after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including a supplemental medical opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and all remaining issues associated with his appeal. Therefore, no allegations of error of fact or law remain for appellate consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has also granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 22, 2000 for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder and a TDIU effective February 21, 2001.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability more nearly approximated total social and occupational impairment from June 22, 2000 to February 21, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, and prostate condition due to lack of current disability evidence.,Prostate cancer was not found to be related to active duty service.