PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for PTSD, effective before the Board could issue a final decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and anxiety reaction with depressive and compulsive features were denied in final September 1972, August 2003, and December 2008 rating decisions. The Veteran is seeking an effective date prior to January 31, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to May 2, 2011, warranting a rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 16, 2015 was manifested by symptoms consistent with a 30 percent rating under the criteria for PTSD, including occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran has been rendered unable to secure substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities from May 4, 2011. The criteria for an award of TDIU have been met from that date.

The Veteran's awards of service connection for PTSD, GAD, panic disorder, and anxiety disorder NOS, as well as his award for hypertension are restored.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of pelvic fracture and separation of symphysis pubis with low back pain has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show improvement in the disability under ordinary conditions of life and work, and thus no increase in disability was warranted.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period from February 1, 2001 to October 20, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor, effective from the date of receipt of the original claim (July 2, 2004). The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, as well as his claims for earlier effective date and TDIU due to service-connected disability, are denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is March 30, 2012.

The Board denied reopening the claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a back disability. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his Vietnam service were found to be not supported by the record.

The Board found that the Service member's death was not due to a service-connected disability and was caused by his own willful misconduct during an armed robbery.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and assigned a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted based on the evidence showing a current diagnosis, an in-service stressor, and a link between the two.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board has determined that a rating of 70 percent is warranted for the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically attributable to his active service. The Board finds that the evidence of record supports a grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, resulting in a 50% rating prior to August 31, 2011 and a 70% rating after that date. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether he should receive a higher rating for PTSD, but also finds that he does not meet the criteria for TDIU or an earlier effective date for DEA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied, and his TDIU prior to April 19, 2010, was granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, increased ratings for his leg disabilities, and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or that the Veteran's leg disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and another review of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his legal guardian withdrawing the appeal prior to a decision being made.