PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a maximum 100% rating, effective from June 28, 2013. He also receives SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities. The TBI residuals are granted as well. However, issues related to dementia, ischemic heart disease, and TDIU prior to June 28, 2013 remain unresolved.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, but remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder are granted as service-connected due to in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current PTSD to an in-service personal assault. The preponderance of the evidence supports a conclusion that his PTSD was not incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected due to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.,The Veteran's near continuous thirst is not considered a separate disability for compensation purposes and thus denied.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depression, mood disturbances, anger, and panic attacks and therefore not separately service-connected.,The Veteran's left arm disability remains in dispute and requires further examination and evidence.,The Veteran's sleep disability (specifically sleep apnea) is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including consideration of herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's prostate disability and left-hand skin disability are both remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiologies, including consideration of herbicide exposure during service.,reasoning_summary

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a disability rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development for verifying a stressor event in service and for another psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded due to the possibility of increased severity since his last examination in September 2015.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), transient ischemia attack (TIA), stroke, headaches, or PTSD. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria was denied, and the Board found that he is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder and panic disorder without agoraphobia, alopecia, migraine headaches, and gastrointestinal disability have been granted. The rating for migraine headaches has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder have rendered him unable to protect himself from daily living hazards, requiring regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to February 6, 2016 because the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if he has current diagnoses and whether his symptoms are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 13, 2009, for PTSD was denied as there is no indication that he filed a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100 percent disabling, and he has additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent. He is also granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD, erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, and SMC at the (k) rate for loss of use of a creative organ were granted effective April 26, 2018. The Veteran's sleep apnea was also granted service connection effective April 26, 2018.,An earlier effective date of April 28, 2017, was established for the award of service connection for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD and SMC (k).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any current mental health condition and active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since January 4, 2012, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms throughout the appeal period.