PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD has been reopened, but the Board finds that additional development is necessary before the merits of the claim can be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals are currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted prior to October 8, 2014 or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's cold injury to the left foot is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted as there are no symptoms such as tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis).,The Veteran's cold injury to the right foot is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted as there are no symptoms such as tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis).,The earliest date of entitlement for service connection for PTSD is July 25, 2015.,The earliest date of entitlement for service connection for tinnitus is April 21, 2014.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a left foot cold injury is April 21, 2014.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a right foot cold injury is April 21, 2014.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a right ankle fracture is October 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while his MDD received a 70% rating from March 26, 2018 onwards. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the stomach disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been granted a 40% disability rating effective January 28, 2016. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains unresolved and is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is warranted. However, due to the unduly remote nature of the most recent VA examination, an additional evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and thus denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that there may be relevant private treatment records from before June 29, 2017, and has instructed the AOJ to attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has decided the PTSD and TDIU claims, denying a higher rating for PTSD and granting a TDIU. The hepatitis C claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine remains at 20 percent, while a 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy beginning April 24, 2013. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's request for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled VA examination. The case will be rescheduled and a new examination will be conducted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent from May 26, 2007 to August 21, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected for purposes of accrued benefits.

The appellant's attorney withdrew the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to October 25, 2011 and granted a TDIU effective April 4, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were found to be moderate in severity during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated as noncompensable, with the highest schedular rating for tinnitus.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and eye problems, make it impossible for him to work as a commercial electrician. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's TBI was granted service connection, but his claims for PTSD, alcohol abuse disorder (secondary to PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, chronic adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and sleep disturbances were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating from October 22, 2018. The ED issue is still pending and has not been rated compensably.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is also denied.