PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder was granted effective from September 8, 1995. This decision is based on new VA treatment records received in January 2010 that were not part of the claims file at the time of his initial denial in February 1996.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder manifested during active duty service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder with anxious distress features and undifferentiated/overlapping alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU, and he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his physical and psychological limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, TBI cognitive disorder, NOS, and migraines.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding in-service stressors and treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings on all three issues during the November 2017 Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of CUE in the February 1993 and January 1971 rating decisions regarding service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to November 26, 2013 and in excess of 70 percent from that date for PTSD.

The Veteran's child is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because she was over the age of 26 at the time her father became permanently and totally disabled.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The reduction in rating for his left knee instability from 10 percent to 0 percent, effective March 1, 2017, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms most closely approximate the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating, warranting denial of an increased evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes prior to September 13, 2010 or after that date, and there was insufficient medical evidence linking his PTSD symptoms to in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, as well as right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's initial rating claim for left/bilateral hearing loss will be adjudicated after the grant of service connection for his right ear.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to February 4, 2017 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations were denied due to the lack of service connection criteria being met.