PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD. The appeals are now remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the claimed stressor and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, bronchitis, hypertension, and headaches have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a bronchogenic cyst, post-operative is dismissed. The claim to reopen for a right knee disability has been granted and the Veteran now has a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective December 27, 2010. TDIU was also granted beginning December 27, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective April 27, 2009, has been granted. The effective date for service connection for sleep apnea is set at December 8, 2006. TDIU was also granted effective April 27, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent before March 10, 2017. The rating for PTSD with TBI on and after March 10, 2017 remains at 70 percent. Service connection for lung cancer, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are remanded. Total disability rating due to individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case on both his initial rating and effective date claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment. Bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as there are questions about its current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records.

The Board denied service connection for right foot fungus and dismissed the claim of service connection for PTSD. The appeal regarding the cause of death is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to March 17, 2008 for PTSD is remanded due to procedural issues and the need to obtain medical records from the period between March 1995 and January 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% and granted a higher rating of 70%. The decision also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, is granted as service connected. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing the condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for a back brace used due to her service-connected PTSD and other disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on any claimed stressor or fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent effective September 8, 2010. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent rating have been met and grants this rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of attempts to obtain treatment records from incarcerated facilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hiatal hernia with GERD, coronary artery disease, PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantial gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct, and he had a service-connected disability (PTSD) rated at 100% for less than the required 10 years before his death. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied.