PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as the claim was granted and is no longer in dispute.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a clarifying opinion from the January 2011 VA examiner regarding her delirium and its relationship to PTSD and/or depression.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is found to be the result of a verified stressor during active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective October 8, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms of his PTSD warranted this rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(a). However, given evidence suggesting unemployability, the Board has remanded the claim to determine if an extraschedular TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the knees, ankles and right foot, have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without regular aid of a walker and wheelchair for more than 200 feet. The claim is granted for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since June 2, 2009 to September 24, 2011 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The rating is based on the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Psychiatric Disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination under DSM-5 criteria. The current examinations were inadequate as they evaluated the Veteran under outdated DSM-IV criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service during the Gulf War, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 50 percent since February 22, 2008. The appeal is for an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depression was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for development and adjudication of his claims, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and a current examination for PTSD. His claim for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from March 26, 2010 to April 27, 2011, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board found that the cause of death, metastatic lung cancer, was not related to service and concluded that no service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death. Therefore, DIC benefits based on the cause of death are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a link between his current skin conditions and his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was granted, and he is now entitled to a rating of 60 percent for his coronary artery disease since March 29, 2012.,Service connection has been established for depression, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran is currently rated at 60 percent for his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's PTSD, facial scars, and impairment of the sense of smell have been rated as appropriate under the applicable diagnostic codes. The dental disorder involving the right mandible has not yet resulted in a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an incomplete hearing transcript, and a new videoconference hearing will be scheduled for the appellant.