PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied an effective date prior to January 26, 2017 for the grant of a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD). The Veteran's claim was re-adjudicated in a final April 2014 decision that considered new and material evidence submitted during the appeal period. There was no factually ascertainable date of increase of CAD to warrant a 60 percent rating within one year prior to January 26, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for PTSD with depressive symptoms and alcohol use disorder, as well as chronic adductor strain of the left thigh with fracture of left pubic ramors. The Veteran will need to undergo updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss are all being reviewed due to new evidence received since their previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current symptoms of PTSD and alcohol use disorder are related to his service, specifically his exposure to traumatic events during combat in Iraq. As a result, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and mood disorder, as well as residuals of a superficial flesh wound to the left hand. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The Board also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the issue of increased rating for service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective March 6, 2007. The symptoms of depression, anxiety, and irritability have led to deficiencies in most areas including work, family relations, and mood.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or a link to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for increased PTSD rating and TDIU prior to the specified dates.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA clinical records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The examiner must also opine whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating was reduced from 100% to 70%, and the Board found that this reduction was proper. The evidence did not show total social or occupational impairment, so a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since December 9, 2008. The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for the entire period of appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for developmental sickle beta thalassemia (claimed as sickle cell anemia) due to new and material evidence. The claims for PTSD, depression NOS, and alcohol dependence are remanded for further development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

Service connection for a left shoulder condition is denied.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran has been in receipt of the maximum rating assignable for limitation of extension (i.e., 10 percent) of the left hip. For the period from December 1, 2018 to February 13, 2019, the evidence shows the Veteran’s left and right hip flexion was limited to, at worst, 30 degrees.,For the period prior to December 1, 2018, and after February 13, 2019, the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis, limitation of flexion have not been met. A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's PTSD has more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks; symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, or total social and occupational impairment are not demonstrated. A rating of 30 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity in work and social settings.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability and a TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability, an effective date prior to June 7, 2016 for urinary disability, and ratings in excess of certain disabilities were all denied. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for increased PTSD rating and service connection for GERD and chronic bronchitis is remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his symptoms and evidence.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for a temporary total disability evaluation due to hospitalization in excess of 21 days for service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.