PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and for obtaining any outstanding treatment records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been added due to the Veteran's testimony at the hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in most areas. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board has determined that his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation greater than 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and gastrointestinal disability have been denied.,New evidence has reopened the claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting medical examinations to address the issues on appeal.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate during the period from April 1, 2000, to August 19, 2010, as he was not in receipt of a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent and did not have disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a new VA examination. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's initial claim of a higher evaluation for PTSD prior to October 3, 2013 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a Travel Board or videoconference hearing. The service connection and rating issues related to sleep apnea and PTSD are still pending.

The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records and to readjudicate the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claim of service in Korea, and requests that VA attempt to obtain additional records to help substantiate his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as low back condition), scars, degenerative joint disease of both knees, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, hypertension, tinnitus, bilateral nasal pinquecula with dry eyes, hernia, ear pain, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities alone are at least in equipoise as to whether he is unable to obtain or maintain such employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on current symptoms and not solely on a previous diagnosis in VA records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bladder disorders render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death from myocardial infarction, and the Board finds that this meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and issuing a Statement of the Case regarding the earlier effective date for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2015. The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD prior to that date and denied entitlement to a rating greater than 30 percent after that date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining evidence to corroborate the in-service assault event and providing notice under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).