PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent disabling prior to July 11, 2017, due to severe symptoms including suicidal ideation and persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, through his authorized representative.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence was received. However, it denied both the reopening of the claim and the original claim for service connection due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to acoustic trauma in Vietnam. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has found that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, and thus grants this claim. The issue of service connection for a neurological disability, claimed as a left eye twitch, must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 7, 2010 for diabetic nephropathy and October 27, 2010 for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity have been denied.,There were no formal or informal claims for these conditions prior to the dates assigned by the RO.

The Veteran's PTSD disability met the criteria for a 70 percent rating on June 26, 2009. The effective date of the award of a 70 percent rating is set at August 9, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD associated with alcohol abuse is currently rated 70 percent disabling from July 19, 2016. He was also granted a TDIU effective February 16, 2008.,He previously had an initial rating of 50 percent for his PTSD prior to July 19, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 25, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and difficulty in establishing social and work relationships have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in service. The rating for PTSD with depressive disorder prior to April 2, 2014 is granted at 30 percent. The rating for TBI with central vertigo prior to April 2, 2014 is also granted at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 27, 2006, for the grant of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was denied as there is no evidence showing a claim for PTSD within one year of his discharge.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a skin condition, increased evaluations for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus, as well as TDIU. The case is dismissed.

The Veteran was found unemployable from August 29, 2011 to September 30, 2015 due to the combined effects of his service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. His combined disability rating for these conditions is 80 percent.

The Veteran's current PTSD is related to an in-service stressor and the Board finds service connection for PTSD is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis was not attributed to a verified or corroborated in-service stressor, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher initial disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an updated VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and back disorders are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) claim cannot be established due to lack of a confirmed in-service stressor.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as they are not shown to have been incurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and PTSD. Specifically, VA treatment records from 1967 at Dayton VA Medical Center are requested, as well as a new examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal regarding the initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD before a decision was made.