PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met, granting an increased rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 26, 2003. The Board also granted TDIU effective from the same date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a TDIU claim. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision-making process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of credible stressor and no other evidence linking his current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was granted, with a rating assigned at the maximum level (100% disability).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD), bilateral foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee/leg disorder, left knee/leg disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 15, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence on whether the Veteran has PTSD and if so, whether it is related to service. The claim will be further evaluated after a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD and loss of use of both lower extremities, claimed as Multiple Sclerosis. The decision found that the correct facts were before the Board at the time of the August 1979 rating decision, and no CUE was identified.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since May 8, 2017. The effective date for this rating is based on the date of receipt of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service stressors and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD disability necessitates the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a favorable decision on his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's service connection claims for back disability, eye disability, cervical spine disability and right ankle disability were denied. The claim for headaches was granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His gastritis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety, is attributable to active service. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD with anxiety, which is related to his in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a TDIU rating prior to September 12, 2012 due to his service-connected PTSD and encephalopathy. The preponderance of evidence showed that he was not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability and PTSD, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral ankle disability. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking the current disabilities to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent, and grants TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and assigned a noncompensable rating. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is deferred due to the grant of service connection.