PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to acoustic trauma in service is related to his current condition. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on being housebound as he is able to leave his home and travel outside of it.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent since January 20, 2005. The Board found that the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating and denied claims for service connection for PTSD, depression NOS, anxiety disorder NOS, dysthymic disorder, prostate cancer, sleep apnea, or TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by deficiencies in most areas of work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood throughout the period on appeal. The Board found that a disability rating of 70 percent was not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's claims were previously denied due to lack of a valid stressor, but new evidence was submitted that reopened the claim.

The Veteran's mood disorder, including PTSD and depression related to hearing loss, has been rated at 50 percent since January 13, 2010. The symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no credible evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service stressor that would support the claimed conditions.

For the period from February 5, 2008 through March 24, 2010, the Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to March 24, 2011, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% disabling, effective October 4, 2014. The Board also denied a separate compensable rating for cognitive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 11, 2016. The Board denied an increased rating and TDIU claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities alone, as his COPD, PTSD, lumbar disc disease, and burn scars do not meet the criteria for SMC at a higher rate.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with mild anxiety and PTSD, is currently rated at 30 percent. This rating reflects the severity of his symptoms which include difficulty sleeping, nightmares, estrangement, and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need to determine his employment status prior to April 25, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for higher ratings for PTSD and a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records, arranging for an examination of the Veteran's PTSD, and considering the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling an in-person hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Atlanta RO. The issues include evaluations for various service-connected conditions and seeking benefits such as special monthly compensation and TDIU.