PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the appellant's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, sleeplessness, and occasional irritability/anxiety. The GAF scores ranged from 61 to 65, which indicates mild symptoms of depression or anxiety. The appellant does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating due to his current level of functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to his request.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 21, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms of his PTSD have approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment and thinking and/or mood.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to August 18, 2015 and has been granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective from August 18, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in severe impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since May 10, 2010. The appeal is granted for this period.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including schizophrenia and PTSD, did not begin during service or are otherwise related to service. The genitourinary disability claim is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating prior to October 28, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD, and for consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or loss of use of upper or lower extremities, blindness in both eyes, anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands, deep partial or full thickness or subdermal burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury. Therefore, he is not entitled to specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a vocational specialist examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking increased disability ratings for service-connected PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Further examinations and medical records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed eczema, right knee disorder, and scar, middle forehead.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 18, 2015. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.