PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, Asperger's syndrome, and depressive disorder, has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

Service connection for hepatitis C was denied.,A rating of 30 percent for PTSD prior to August 20, 2008, and a higher rating thereafter were granted.,The Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition in conformance with DSM-IV or V criteria. The Veteran failed to report to the VA examination scheduled and did not provide good cause.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining all pertinent records. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the updated evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran was still gainfully employed prior to June 1, 2009 and thus is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for that period.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of low back disability, left lower extremity numbness, right lower extremity numbness, and left upper extremity numbness. The initial evaluation for fracture of the right little finger was granted with a 10% rating. Service connection for TBI prior to October 23, 2008, and PTSD since that date were both granted with increased ratings. Finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted prior to December 20, 2010. Special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status (SMC/HB) was granted.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to the threat of hostile military action he experienced during his active duty service in Korea, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's neurological impairment of the bilateral upper extremities, diagnosed as an essential tremor, is found to be secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or chronic sleep disability. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but his acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (Bipolar Disorder) was granted. The decision is mixed as one issue was granted and the other was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher disability rating. The symptoms have included sleep disturbance, nightmares, intrusive memories, anxiety, irritability, avoidance behavior, and social isolation.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a VA examination and remanded this claim for service connection of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and SSA records.

The Veteran's PTSD with an adjustment disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to his symptoms not approximating total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder with history of PTSD, results in significant occupational and social impairment warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for panic disorder with agoraphobia, anxiety disorder, PTSD and depression. The case is remanded to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at Jackson RO.

The Veteran's TBI with PTSD was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to September 14, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective as of January 6, 2009. The claim for a TDIU has also been granted.