PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in August 1998, but reopened and granted effective September 10, 2014. The Board found no earlier petition to reopen the claim prior to September 10, 2014.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal of the claim for service connection for PTSD, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating higher than 50 percent for service-connected PTSD was denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been evaluated at the maximum available ratings, while his coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass grafting and PTSD warrant further evaluation.,Coronary artery disease requires METs testing to determine its severity. The current examination did not include this test.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is warranted. Additionally, the TDIU claim is being remanded due to issues with the current examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have worsened since his last VA examination in August 2013, necessitating a new evaluation to determine the appropriate rating.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, but granted service connection for a left collar bone disability and left shoulder degenerative changes. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, chronic sinusitis, and thyroid disorder/Hashimoto's disease were denied. The claim for PTSD was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was also denied for chronic sinusitis as there is no evidence that the condition began during or soon after military service. Thyroid disorder/Hashimoto's disease was found to be current but without a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disorders during the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's neurogenic bladder is granted a 60% rating, effective March 10, 2009. The Veteran's PTSD and depression are granted a 70% rating from September 22, 2015. The right wrist disability claim has been reopened but not yet decided. The low back disability claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired mental health disability (PTSD, anxiety and adjustment disorder) qualifies him for the maximum educational assistance benefit level of 100 percent under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO with instructions to obtain updated treatment records and request a supplemental opinion from the examiner who provided the March 2016 VA opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The claim for an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome was denied as the current disability rating is already at its maximum allowed under VA guidelines. For PTSD, the claim was also denied as there was no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for asthma and mixed restrictive / obstructive lung disease, as well as PTSD, were denied because there was no evidence of a service connection. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to military service or exposure.

This decision denies service connection for spina bifida and migraines, but grants effective dates earlier than January 10, 2004 for abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting and PTSD. The rating for abdominal pain is remanded, as is the rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's restrictive ventilatory defect is granted an initial 10 percent disability rating. The Veteran's PTSD prior to September 20, 2016, is granted a 50 percent disability rating. The Veteran's PTSD from September 20, 2016, is denied in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was part of his initial claims for service connection, and he is now in receipt of a TDIU since January 21, 2010.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and dysthymia/depressive and anxiety disorders, is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration.