PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% prior to April 30, 2014, and increased to 70% thereafter. The current rating of 70% is appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, left and right foot conditions, low back condition, high cholesterol, bronchitis, sleep disorder, bilateral eye condition, arthritis, and sinus condition. The primary reasons are lack of in-service stressor for PTSD, no evidence of chronicity after discharge for other conditions, and insufficient herbicide exposure documentation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and employee personnel records. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and third degree burns and varicose veins of the lower extremities are found to have contributed substantially to his cause of death, which was Alzheimer's dementia. After resolving any doubt in favor of the appellant, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities, which render him unemployable. The Board grants a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as his symptoms are linked to the conceded in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 2013. After a review of the evidence, including his testimony during the March 2017 hearing and VA treatment records, the Board finds that the symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection have been denied. The Board found that no new or material evidence had been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are supported by his credible account of in-service events and medical evidence linking the disabilities to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his PTSD is found to be related to his in-service stressors, including the death of a pilot he serviced and who died in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective January 31, 2017.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, sleep disorder, and depression, is now pending before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, or trichotillomania that is related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a finding that an in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claim for hearing loss is dismissed. The Board grants a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective from January 5, 2009.