PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD remains denied and is still on appeal. The RO awarded service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder (previously diagnosed as bipolar disorder) effective in February 2011, resulting in a net award of $30,243 to the Veteran. The appellant was granted attorney/agent fees for past-due benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations to determine the severity and etiology of his hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, as he has been employed in various positions during the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 21, 2015. The rating is based on the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with dysthymic disorder renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service and therefore, entitlement to service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to secure or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary depression has been found to be severe enough to prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for earlier effective dates and service connection. The Board has determined that the issues are not properly before it due to a lack of an SOC in some cases, and requests for travel hearings have been made but not yet scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records, as well as obtaining any missing substantive appeal form.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, hypertension, and sinusitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in January 2006. The Veteran is now entitled to a de novo review of his original claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and spinal disorders. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for nonservice-connected pension benefits and did not address service connection issues. The decision is final.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic cluster headaches and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remain pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a tooth condition, low back disability, skin disability (residuals of MRSA infection), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.