PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The evidence does not show significant impairment in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's death was not caused or hastened by any service-connected disability, including PTSD. The underlying cause of his death was diverticulum disease, which is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, stress, depression, sleep disorder, nightmares, and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral foot tendonitis has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for Bipolar Disorder, finding that it was incurred in service. However, the claim of service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression is denied as there is no link between the current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and hypertension is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 28, 2002. The Board finds that the criteria for a 100 percent rating are met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to handle direct disbursement of his VA benefits due to dementia and cognitive impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diverticulitis, asthma, COPD, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, stroke, bowel cancer, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, hernia, sleep apnea, and nerve damage. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. A supplemental VA medical opinion is also needed to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder distinct from PTSD that is medically linked to her symptoms during active service.

The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) due to being housebound was granted with an effective date of November 26, 2008. However, the Appellant contends that she is entitled to an earlier effective date of August 2, 2003.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's PTSD, including during the pendency of his claim. The issues are inextricably intertwined as the TDIU claim may be affected by the outcome of the increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is not service-connected.,Prior to March 14, 2014, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable. From March 14, 2014 onwards, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not cause unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his PTSD claim, including obtaining outstanding treatment records from the Vet Center and Bureau of Prisons.

The Board found that the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD was received on January 19, 2011, and thus an effective date prior to this date is not warranted as there were no claims filed after the final November 2006 denial but before the petition to reopen.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to delays in contacting the Veteran and scheduling a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.