PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and increased the Veteran's PTSD rating to 70 percent, effective July 19, 2010. The other issues remain pending as they are not fully resolved.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since March 8, 2004. The Board found that the current level of impairment warrants an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD. The decision is based on the merits of the case and not due to any presumption or new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective November 20, 2006. The symptoms include flattened affect, depressed mood, chronic sleep impairment, irritability, and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD with depression. The TDIU claim will also be readjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective December 12, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, as well as his claims for higher ratings for various peripheral neuropathies and PTSD have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports the grant of TDIU due to the cumulative effects of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to Alzheimer's disease, which is not service-connected. The Board finds that the appellant does not have legal entitlement to accrued benefits as no claims were pending at the time of his death and there are no existing ratings or decisions in her favor.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is now entitled to have his claim reviewed on its merits.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10% prior to February 7, 2013.,PTSD and anxiety disorder are rated at 70% from January 29, 2009 to prior to February 22, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and procedural issues, including failing to issue a Statement of the Case for his hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The Veteran is also required to be provided with an examination in connection with his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to March 7, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left foot disability and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, and thus did not address eligibility for attorney fees from past-due benefits in addition to a previously paid Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) fee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, migraines, and TBI. The claim for a bilateral foot condition will also be addressed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and tinnitus. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to a need for further examination and opinion.