PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The August 1995 rating decision granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, which was upheld as not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation prior to June 11, 2012 was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent or permanently housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation prior to June 11, 2012 was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and there is no evidence of housebound status due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, and an earlier effective date for TDIU. The decision found that there was no current disability for hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating for PTSD or total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, and his IBS and headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST). His IBS and headaches are linked to this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for readjudication of all evidence added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. A rating of 40 percent for TBI with cognitive disorder from November 29, 2012 is granted. An earlier effective date than April 17, 2007 for the award of a 30 percent rating for dermographism and an earlier effective date than November 29, 2012 for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal of his petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a right foot disability was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The claims for hepatitis, depression, PTSD, left foot disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, and right leg disability are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The appeal has been denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric condition, including whether it pre-existed service or was aggravated by service. The Veteran's mental health records need to be obtained and an examination is required.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vision defect, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, polyps (presumed due to herbicide exposure), and gastritis. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities or other factors.

The Veteran's impaired judgment, due to his service-connected PTSD, contributed to his death from right subdural hematoma. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The diabetes mellitus type II remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD have been granted separate ratings, with the TBI receiving a 40 percent rating effective January 19, 2012. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and TDIU due to incomplete records, including missing Vet Center treatment records and a lay statement from the Veteran's ex-wife. The Veteran will be provided with additional evidentiary development and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his PTSD is rated at 70 percent. The issue of TDIU is remanded.