PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective February 13, 2015.,The Board granted TDIU effective February 13, 2015.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for PTSD were granted, with a rating of 30 percent effective February 10, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is rated at 50 percent since November 30, 2015. His right foot disability remains at a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and readjudication due to the need for a VA examination regarding his obstructive sleep apnea, an increased rating for PTSD, and consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD, a service-connected condition, is found to have caused his death. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of DIC benefits based on service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, arranging for a new VA examination, and readjudicating the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The issue of TDIU will be deferred pending resolution of the higher rating claim for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than dysthymia, to include PTSD. The claim was reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent prior to November 26, 2010 and 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran's scleritis is currently rated at 10 percent.,PTSD remains in controversy as the maximum evaluation possible has not been assigned.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 50 percent disabling from November 30, 2009 to March 1, 2016. He is also entitled to a TDIU rating since July 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at December 7, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total social impairment, which is required for a 100% rating for PTSD with MDD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, a right shoulder condition, and left arm and hand conditions. However, the evidence received since the October 2007 denial does not provide sufficient material to support the Veteran's contentions that his current conditions were caused by service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective from May 9, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability can be adjudicated. The Veteran will need to provide new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 60 percent. However, his unemployability is attributed to his PTSD symptoms which render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.