PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is service connected, but has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for kidney failure was denied as there is no evidence of current kidney failure during the appeal period.,PTSD was granted with a 70% evaluation, but not at the maximum schedular rating due to his employment and marital status.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was granted, with a current rating of 50%. The issue regarding an earlier effective date for the 70% rating remains pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and chronic toe fungus have been reopened, but denied. The claim of service connection for insomnia is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for additional compensation based on dependents status was received in May 2017, and the effective date is denied as it should have been earlier due to her marriage and children.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple disabilities remains pending and requires further development. The Board has ordered additional examinations to address the etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as to determine if there are any new or material issues that need to be addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of an earlier effective date for the grant of an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder and PTSD, finding that he does not have a separate diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder based on symptoms distinguishable from his already diagnosed and service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 7, 2017. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but do not qualify for a 70% or higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to pending issues with SSA records, which could impact both claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disorder is granted, and her claim for right toe injury secondary to service-connected right foot injury is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee chondromalacia osteoarthritis was denied as his condition did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was also denied, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 60%, and his entitlement to special monthly compensation for housebound status was discontinued. The effective date of service connection for PTSD remains unchanged at March 16, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of a mental disorder other than alcohol use disorder. The Board also found that the Veteran's alcohol use disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 70 percent since February 5, 2016. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD are both granted.