PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted based on the evidence showing a current diagnosis, an in-service stressor, and a link between the two.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board has determined that a rating of 70 percent is warranted for the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically attributable to his active service. The Board finds that the evidence of record supports a grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, resulting in a 50% rating prior to August 31, 2011 and a 70% rating after that date. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether he should receive a higher rating for PTSD, but also finds that he does not meet the criteria for TDIU or an earlier effective date for DEA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied, and his TDIU prior to April 19, 2010, was granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, increased ratings for his leg disabilities, and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or that the Veteran's leg disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and another review of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his legal guardian withdrawing the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current PTSD is at least as likely as not the result of an in-service event or injury. The other issues related to knee disabilities and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depressive disorder NOS and alcohol abuse has been productive of total occupational and social impairment for the entire appeal period, warranting a 100 percent rating. As his TDIU claim is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD, his TDIU issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues, including a rating increase for PTSD and service connection claims. The NOD regarding the February 2015 hearing loss decision was found to be untimely.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is likely caused by an in-service personal assault, and thus service connection for PTSD with anxiety is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. His service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his lumbar radiculitis of the left lower extremity is also rated at 10 percent. The appeals for hearing loss, TDIU, and RLS were withdrawn.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD were found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder bursitis has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred during his period of honorable active service. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, reopening and denial of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 17, 2017, and service connection for a pulmonary disorder (asbestosis).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.