PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and psychosis have resulted in significant impairment, including impaired sleep, illogical speech, persistent delusions, intermittent thoughts of suicide, unprovoked irritability, social isolation, and disorientation to time and place. The Board has determined that the criteria for a total schedular (100 percent) evaluation are met.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that a disability rating of 30 percent is warranted based on occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, left foot, and left lower leg disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence. The claim for increased rating for residuals of left ankle fracture was also denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with secondary alcohol abuse, PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder was granted a 70 percent evaluation from August 12, 2010 to May 19, 2015. The right and left knee bursitis claims were denied.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 17, 2011 for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD did not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, thus the claim for a higher disability evaluation was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD causes significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine were denied. The appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability related to the Veteran's service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD. The issue of hypertension is denied as there was no indication of a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his presumed in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, has been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a hearing, as requested by the Veteran. The appeal is not yet resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple spine conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to PTSD, should be remanded due to an unresolved issue regarding his PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and notifying the Veteran of the appointment. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and due process issues, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's employability.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for PTSD during the July 2015 hearing. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 19, 2010 due to her service-connected PTSD and burn scar.