PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied because it did not meet the legal requirements.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the criteria. The ratings for his lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the right leg are both denied as they do not meet the required criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, except for a denial of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, anxiety and PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for PTSD is granted, effective from October 25, 2010. The claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 10, 2012 for service connection of PTSD was denied as the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for this condition within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were not filed within one year of his separation from active duty, and thus the effective dates for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The claim for VA compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of left shoulder surgery is reopened, and the appeal is granted in part. The claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and PTSD are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for Hepatitis C, Liver disorder (cirrhosis), and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and has remanded his claims for a higher disability rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's bruxism with temporomandibular joint dysfunction was denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess whether all service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee and shoulder conditions, neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and low back pain, warrant the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability from January 31, 2013. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status since November 26, 2008.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is denied. The claim for entitlement to total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for hepatitis C and hypertensive vascular disease have been dismissed. The appeal for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) due to lack of probative evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, has been denied as there is insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate the claimed in-service stressors and no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board also found that his other diagnosed conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a 30 percent disability level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.