PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial rating of 70 percent. The cases for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and verification of exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 11, 2016 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The Board denied entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD in excess of these assigned percentages.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bulging and deteriorating discs in the back, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's assertions of injury during service have been met, and further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as an increased rating for PTSD, are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, PTSD due to military sexual trauma, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn by the appellant and his representative.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent evaluation of PTSD and depressive disorder not otherwise specified with alcohol abuse (previously diagnosed as insomnia) is denied. The earliest effective date granted was April 8, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran will need to provide more accurate information about his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has worsened since the last examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 50 percent from May 13, 2008 to November 28, 2016. As of November 29, 2016, the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for PTSD prior to January 22, 1990 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of the former rating criteria.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU for the period prior to January 22, 1990 is also being remanded.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and Depression, meeting the diagnostic criteria set forth in the DSM. The Veteran's diagnoses were speculative or not based on VA examinations designed to determine if he met these criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been granted a 70 percent rating from October 27, 2014. The evidence supports the finding of total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a rating in excess of 10 percent for dry eye syndrome, left eye, and ratings in excess of 20 percent for patellar tendinitis with retropatellar pain syndrome, left knee, and retropatellar pain syndrome, right knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder are attributable to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional records and a VA examination.