PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU was denied by the Board, with the denial of a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to February 6, 2008, and a rating in excess of 50 percent on and after that date. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU remains pending.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an updated VA examination using DSM-IV standards, as the case was certified before the effective date of the new DSM-V criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 15, 2016. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted due to the significant increase in severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a second Board hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD, a lumbar spine disability, and a residual scar with characteristic disfigurement.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, mood disorder, psychotic disorder, and adjustment disorder, is not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by an acute cerebrovascular accident, and the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death. The Board grants service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) to include depression was found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's MDD and PTSD have warranted a disability rating of 50 percent prior to November 4, 2016, and a maximum disability rating of 100 percent thereafter.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion to assess whether the Veteran suffered from an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of his service and whether it caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, but his secondary service connection claim for hypertension was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection. The other issues were either withdrawn or addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to July 20, 2016 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. Insomnia and headaches were not continuous or recurrent in service or since separation; tinnitus was not diagnosed within one year of separation from service; and there is no medical nexus between the current insomnia, headaches, or tinnitus and either active service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss. The preexisting left ear hearing loss at enlistment was not permanently worsened by active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and TDIU have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a confirmed in-service stressor related to his motor vehicle accident and was diagnosed with PTSD. As such, service connection is granted.