PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has forced him to retire from his job as a corrections officer and prevented him from working since then. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD precludes him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, entitling him to a TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable prior to December 30, 2015 and as 10 percent thereafter. His PTSD disability is currently rated as 30 percent. The appeal for service connection for a lung disorder (claimed as bronchitis and asthma) has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hip disorders, including arthritis, are not related to his military service and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment for the entire appeal period, warranting a 100 percent evaluation. As such, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 18, 2015 is moot.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 15, 2008. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at 50 percent, effective June 9, 2009. The Veteran's migraine headaches were initially rated at 10 percent, also effective June 9, 2009. TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent initial rating.

The Veteran has been rendered unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities from June 26, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but did not result in total occupational and social impairment. The initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD was maintained.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 21, 2002 and was increased to 70 percent effective June 18, 2015. The Board finds that the disability criteria for a 70 percent evaluation have been met from October 21, 2002.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. The issue of TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a 30 percent rating for his vertigo as of November 27, 2006. The issues of increased initial ratings for TBI-related disabilities and entitlement to TDIU are also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was granted, but the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction and an increased rating for lumbar spine disability remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and her inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities has been established.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and Social and Industrial Survey.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 31, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed PTSD is etiologically related to his in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.