PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, and posttraumatic stress disorder have been denied. The current ratings are considered the maximum allowable under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened, and he is now granted service connection. His BHL is also granted. The right shoulder tendonitis and PTSD are both rated at the highest possible level (40%). TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, but his claims for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (general anxiety disorder and depressive disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches were all granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (general anxiety disorder and depressive disorder) based on a direct relationship to military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and verification of in-service stressors, as well as determination of the nature, extent, onset and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and proper notification.

The Veteran's PTSD did not cause total occupational and social impairment prior to January 24, 2017. The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammertoes, hypertensive heart disease, PTSD, and major depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for hypertensive heart disease is denied because the competent evidence does not support an etiological relationship to active military service. The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed post-service.,PTSD and major depressive disorder are denied due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to active military service.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim seeks a rating in excess of 10 percent, but the maximum schedular rating is already assigned under Diagnostic Code 6260.,Non-service-connected pension eligibility is denied as the Veteran did not serve during a period of war.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and the need for a new VA examination using DSM-V criteria. The Veteran's claim is recharacterized as seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and no evidence that another mental disorder is superimposed upon his personality disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were denied. The left shoulder disability was rated at 10% prior to July 13, 2010, and at 20% from that date onwards. The prostate cancer rating remained at 20%, the PTSD rating at 30%, and the right shoulder impingement rating at 20%. TDIU was denied as of February 6, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.,The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disabilities (bipolar effective disorder and general anxiety disorder) is remanded. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder other than depression and PTSD, thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction have also been remanded. Additionally, the claim for tinnitus is being remanded, as well as the special monthly compensation based on loss of use.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for PTSD is denied as there was no earlier unadjudicated claim and the evidence does not show an increase in symptoms within one year prior to March 31, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's disability ratings for Right Shoulder Strain and Left Shoulder Strain were restored to 10 percent, effective May 11, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability).

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is granted a 100 percent rating, effective May 7, 2018. The issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus, ischemic heart disease, and neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and lack of examination. The Veteran must authorize a VA psychiatrist or psychologist to clarify his PTSD diagnosis, and he needs to be examined by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist to determine if his psychiatric disability is related to service. Additionally, the Veteran needs to be examined by an appropriate examiner to determine if his sleeping problems are related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The case will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.