PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to January 3, 2018 and 70% thereafter. His bilateral hearing loss was granted but denied in excess of the assigned percentage.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and is remanded. The issues of increased ratings for left ulnar and triceps nerve entrapment, bilateral toenail dysfunction, and left elbow surgical scar are also remanded.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left ulnar and triceps nerve entrapments was not earlier than March 14, 2014. The effective date for an increased rating for bilateral toenail dysfunction was not prior to November 26, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound, and compensation under 38 C.F.R. § 1151 for blindness. The claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death was granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (claimed as a congestive heart problem), hypertension, headaches, and PTSD. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service is not considered sufficient to establish service connection.,Service records show no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and his initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD have been denied by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychological disability, including Major Depressive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 19, 2013.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for migraines is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been presented, indicating that the Veteran may have experienced headaches during service which could be related to his current migraines.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right elbow disability. The remaining claims for cervical spine, left great toe, left knee, and PTSD disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from August 28, 2014. The decision also grants entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected PTSD and additional separate and distinct service-connected disabilities rated at 60 percent or more.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions on the Veteran's mental health diagnoses and treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records, complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any private treatment records, and undergo a psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child of his father due to lack of evidence showing permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age 18, despite his current disabilities and condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as there may be outstanding treatment records and the last examination was in 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for an extraschedular rating in excess of 10 percent for otitis media was denied as the symptoms are contemplated by the rating schedule. The appeal for TDIU was also denied due to lack of evidence showing marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent, reflecting moderate impairment. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective May 23, 2016. He also received a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's recurrent right hip pain is attributed to his service-connected low back disorder and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Board denied service connection for a chronic right hip disability as it was already associated with other service-connected conditions. For TDIU, the Veteran met the criteria due to his multiple service-connected disabilities, but the Board found he is only capable of marginal employment.