PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the Veteran has a diagnosis for PTSD and an unspecified neurocognitive disorder, both of which are related to service. The evidence supports the conclusion that his symptoms of cognitive decline are due to self-medicating with alcohol.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for a separate rating for anxiety disorder, increased ratings for right hip and right knee disabilities, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted with an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg thrombophlebitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and depression), bronchitis, Hepatitis C, and a separate right leg disability. The claim for increased rating for neck disability is also denied as a matter of law.

The Board denied reopening the claim of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been received. The Veteran's preexisting gastrointestinal disorder was found not to be aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds that his major depressive disorder is already service-connected, and thus the new condition cannot be linked to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and bilateral hearing loss. The psychiatric disorder claim is being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective March 27, 2012. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for the disability throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and reconcile conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, PTSD), and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted, as the current effective date (December 27, 2011) has already been assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to February 5, 2010 included occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, nightmares, and mild memory loss. These symptoms most closely approximate the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating and effective date for service connection of PTSD was granted. The effective date is set at April 22, 1998, which is the date he filed his original claim. He is currently rated at 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood. The Board granted an initial 70 percent evaluation for PTSD throughout the appeal period.