PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and service connection were denied. The right knee arthritis claim was granted with a 20% rating prior to November 8, 2016, and a 30% rating since January 1, 2018. A separate 20% rating for instability associated with the right knee disability from September 16, 2014 to November 8, 2016 was also granted. The left knee strain claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU benefits, which satisfies the Veteran's appeal as to all claims on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus denying an increased level of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for additional compensation for his spouse is granted, with an effective date of April 28, 2010.

The Board dismissed the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,An initial rating of 70 percent was granted for PTSD, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran’s GERD was denied an increased rating as his symptoms did not meet criteria warranting a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disabilities. The claims for bilateral wrist disability, breathing disability (including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), vision loss disability, cervical spine disability, dizziness, sleep disability, degenerative arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, lower extremities, elbow disability, scoliosis, and traumatic brain injury are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for memory loss is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 100 percent for PTSD is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim to reopen the issue of service connection for dermatitis is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for atopic dermatitis.,The Veteran's appeals of service connection for glaucoma and cataracts are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 20 percent for his throat disability is remanded.,The Veteran's appeals of service connection for a throat disability, glaucoma, and cataracts are remanded.

The appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not have a current psychiatric disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are granted, with an initial disability rating of 50% for unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, consisting of major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, has been rated at 70 percent since May 15, 2014. Prior to that date, the Board granted a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea and the VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of PTSD and hypertension, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and to determine if his hypertension is related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's anxiety and PTSD were rated at 30 percent prior to September 16, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were of similar severity to those associated with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and personnel records from the Department of Veterans Affairs. An updated VA examination is also required to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a credible in-service stressor, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, effective February 29, 2012. The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating since December 29, 1980.