PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment since January 11, 2007. A 100 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD is dismissed as the benefit sought (a 70% rating) has already been granted. The issue of service connection for PFB is also dismissed due to lack of justiciable case or controversy.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The Veteran was not granted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his CAD prior to June 22, 2010, as his maximum workload did not exceed 13.4 METs with no evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilation. For PTSD, the Veteran's initial evaluations were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone does not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in April 1989 and assigned an effective date of August 18, 1993 for the grant of service connection. The Veteran's appeal is denied as there was no earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, and PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and right wrist disability, both rated at 70 percent disabling, meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA examinations and considering all submitted evidence.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD with depression, effective from August 4, 2010, based on VA medical opinions linking the current psychiatric problems to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is presumed to have been incurred during his service in the Republic of Vietnam, and he has a current diagnosis of anxiety disorder. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his PTSD. The RO must also determine if he is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD involves symptoms such as diminished interest, detachment, narrowed affect, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, but the evidence establishes that any higher-level degree of impairment is directly a result of nonservice-connected Major Depressive and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. Therefore, an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is not warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. However, the criteria for establishing entitlement to service connection for PTSD have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability, and therefore service connection cannot be established.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since March 15, 2006. The TDIU claim for the period prior to January 7, 2010, is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and thus denies his claim for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for independent living services under Chapter 31 of Title 38, U.S.C., due to his current service-connected conditions and lack of feasibility in achieving a vocational goal.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a 10 percent disability rating for right knee DJD, effective from the date of the decision. The Court remanded the case to consider whether there was any in-service stressor related to his psychiatric condition.