PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective June 17, 2015. The claim for bilateral flat feet and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD to include adjustment disorder and anxiety depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since September 20, 2017. The rating remains subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to a lack of current disability diagnoses. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran had these conditions during or in proximity to his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depression is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a contemporaneous VA examination of her PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and fractured little finger, as well as service connection for hair loss and bilateral knee pain have been denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and her claim for TDIU remains pending. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of reduced reliability and productivity due to PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD, and it is now granted based on the evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD related to military sexual trauma in service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) is found to be due to his military service. The RO granted a rating of 60 percent for IHD effective July 27, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD prior to September 1, 2006 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the disability warranted a rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran is service connected for PTSD, third degree burns of the right hand and body, malaria, and second degree burns of the extremities and back. His combined rating is 80 percent. The Board finds that he is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an adequate VA examination in order to properly adjudicate his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and to schedule him for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD symptoms and address claims that his condition has worsened. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder NOS, but the skin disorder claim remains pending as new evidence suggests possible service connection due to Agent Orange exposure. The rating assigned and effective date are not applicable in this decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for further development regarding service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the level of impairment due to PTSD prior to August 4, 2014 and determining if he was unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is dismissed as the original rating decision granting service connection and assigning a November 16, 1998 effective date is final.