PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, effectively dismissing the claims for a higher rating and an earlier effective date.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for a dental disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling prior to July 6, 2015. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a rating of 50 percent for the entire appeal period prior to July 6, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD does not more closely approximate the criteria for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 18, 2016 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is currently rated 70 percent disabling, effective March 8, 2011. His bilateral hearing loss has been rated 70 percent since June 16, 2016.,The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability, effective May 27, 2014. The Board also grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death and were not significant enough to require aid and attendance. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death was denied, as well as the claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to in-service stressors and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizotypal personality, and psychosis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to her service-connected PTSD. The claim for secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression, alcohol dependence and abuse is currently manifested by reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood; anxiety; suspiciousness; chronic sleep impairment; and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective February 4, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD have remained consistent with those previously described.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 6, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and depression, has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity during any part of the rating period since May 2010. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric diagnoses, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and sinusitis were granted, with effective dates of March 24, 2009. The Veteran did not appeal the denial of his earlier requested service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since October 3, 2014. His depression is not service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.