PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lipoma, previously claimed as body tumors, is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since May 21, 2007 and increased to 30 percent effective October 16, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a higher rating of 50 percent since October 16, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to assess his bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service as a military police officer in Berlin, Germany and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's total right knee replacement has been rated at 60 percent since December 1, 2008. The Board finds that the current rating is appropriate based on his symptoms and residuals.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 30, 2008. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD has been evaluated at a 50 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred during active service. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and assigned a 30 percent initial disability rating effective from September 9, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his military service. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his current mental health status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of recurrence or metastasis and his symptoms are consistent with a 20 percent rating for urinary frequency.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claim may be finally adjudicated. Specifically, VA should attempt to obtain outstanding private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination to better assist him in the development of his claim.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the underlying claim as there is no established service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant impairment, but not to the extent that it would warrant a total disability rating. The Board found that prior to May 2, 2002, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet criteria for a 100% evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but also did not meet criteria for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not result in such an outcome. The Board therefore determined that the Veteran's claim was denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on both issues, and therefore the cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from December 19, 2002 to July 5, 2004. The evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to his psychiatric symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, cannot be granted as his reported stressor is found to be a result of his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD service connection claim is granted, and his right knee disability is rated at 30 percent from June 11, 2013.