PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability rating and TDIU was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to January 31, 2013. The appeal regarding the initial rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify the stressor event and obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but he is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a skin disorder. The decision on the PTSD issue is mixed (some issues were granted, some not), while the others are clearly denied.

The Veteran died of pneumonia, which was not service-connected. The Board found no causal link between the Veteran's PTSD and his death.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional medical records, specifically related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran seeks increased ratings for both conditions. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The effective date of service connection for PTSD remains October 31, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, specifically Major Depressive Disorder. The claim for PTSD is denied due to lack of evidence meeting the diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, NOS (now depressive disorder with symptoms of PTSD) and tinnitus, are found to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the Board grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder with depressed mood and anxiety, and SMC are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder and determined that the Veteran's employment is not in a protected environment, thus denying his claim for TDIU. The combined disability rating of 70% meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and right wrist fracture were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran does not have an innocently acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, MDD, anxiety disorder and OCD, due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by service; nor may a psychosis be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to January 16, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings on other issues is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 15, 2009. The evidence does not show that his symptoms are severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Roanoke, Virginia.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is not related to his military service and instead linked to workplace stressors, leading to a denial of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, arteriosclerotic heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity, are found to be sufficient to preclude him from engaging in gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.