PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 1, 2011. The Board also granted TDIU due to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 1, 2018. From February 1, 2018, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased PTSD rating and TDIU, as a new VA examination is required due to recent suicide attempts.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational or social impairment, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, service connection for COPD, and reopening of claim for right ear hearing loss. The decision also granted service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed with additional examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, had its onset during service and is related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of VA examination, as these conditions may be related to service. The appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus need to be evaluated by medical professionals.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total disability evaluation due to hospitalization for PTSD is denied as the condition was not service-connected at the time of his hospitalization.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection in April 2017. The Board found that his symptoms, while impairing, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he experienced reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, anxiety, and occasional intrusive thoughts.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability has been granted. The Board has also remanded the cases for further development regarding heart and skin disabilities, as well as PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was previously denied. The Board found new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating this claim. A rating in excess of 50% for PTSD is granted from June 14, 2012 to November 3, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective November 7, 2012. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's appeal to increase the rating for PTSD has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, as well as a 60% rating for eczema and psoriasis effective February 13, 2013. The claim for an earlier effective date for the PTSD with MDD rating has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period, and his claim for TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and gastrointestinal disorder are all granted as service-connected. The claims for fibromyalgia and memory loss have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric stress disorder, to include PTSD, based on a current diagnosis and credible evidence of the in-service military sexual trauma (MST).