PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from July 19, 2002 to September 17, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including depression, irritability/anger, moodiness, sleep impairment, and interpersonal conflict, have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. The current rating of 50 percent best approximates the severity of his disability during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, concluding that his symptoms are related to substance abuse during service.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to conflicting evidence and new developments, including the Veteran's newly service-connected disabilities. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to November 9, 2009 was granted. Her PTSD and unspecified disabilities are service-connected.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues of increased evaluations for PTSD and left knee disability are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination. The service connection claim is inextricably intertwined with the 1151 claim.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for PTSD, and thus denied the petition to reopen.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or chronic symptoms in service that would support the grant of service connection.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder. The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeal for a higher initial evaluation for PTSD, leaving no issues for appellate review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities likely combine to preclude gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to assess his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive features is currently rated at 50 percent, and a separate compensable rating of 30 percent for Parkinson's disease (residuals) has been granted.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency services from November 11, 2010 to November 17, 2010 at Archbold Memorial Hospital are granted due to the nature of his psychiatric condition and the need for continued monitoring.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but finds that they preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The case is therefore REMANDED to refer the claim to the Director, C&P Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for the additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and ensuring that all issues are properly addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is causally related to his in-service stressor event.