PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability and its impact on employment. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased evaluation claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and consideration of whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 21, 2005. From February 1, 2006, the rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, but not total. A 70% rating was granted prior to September 1, 2011, and a 100% rating has been granted since then.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The remand also requires obtaining all outstanding records from December 2012 to present.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities, prior to February 1, 2011, prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than schizophrenia and PTSD, that had its onset in service or within one year of separation, or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for her bilateral foot conditions has been granted. Her claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of anatomical loss or use of both hands, blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or deep partial thickness burns, full thickness or subdermal burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims.

The Board granted the Veteran's request for withdrawal of appeals for increased ratings for his right hip disability and PTSD with depressive disorder. The claim for an increased rating for scars due to shrapnel and motor vehicle accident was not fully substantiated.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, depression, anger, irritability, and social isolation. The VA determined that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and knee conditions, have rendered her unable to care for herself without the assistance of another. The Board finds that she requires aid and attendance due to her cognitive dysfunction and multiple falling episodes.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is denied, but his claim of service connection for Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood is granted.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is pending. The appeals regarding CUE in the June 1972 and June 2008 rating decisions on his gunshot wound to left ankle are granted, with no effective date provided as these decisions were final. The appeal regarding TDIU status remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is as likely as not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depressive disorder and anxiety), thyroid disability, and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further development.,PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depressive disorder and anxiety) are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology. The claims for thyroid disability and diabetes mellitus are also being remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology, with consideration of the Veteran's reported exposure to ionizing radiation during service.,PTSD is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology due to possible military sexual trauma. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depressive disorder and anxiety) is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The thyroid disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to the Veteran's service, including her reported exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The claim for diabetes mellitus is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.