PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's spouse's request to increase the apportionment of VA disability compensation payments from $150.00, finding that imposing an additional amount would be an undue burden on the Veteran due to his significant debt and expenses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, tinnitus, coronary heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity and his limited education and work experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 29, 2015. From April 29, 2015, his TDIU claim was denied as his combined rating of 100% due to PTSD did not meet the additional criteria for a second disability rated at 60%. The Veteran's other service-connected disabilities (gastritis and folliculitis) do not meet this threshold.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and he is currently rated at 70 percent for his PTSD. The appeal for a higher rating remains before the Board.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 31, 2003 for the award of service connection for PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus are denied as they were received on November 2, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a diagnosed condition related to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral hammertoes, back disorder, bilateral foot disorder other than hammertoes, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after these issues have been addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 50 percent since July 26, 2016. The effective date for this rating increase is July 26, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent since January 12, 2010. The issue of TDIU prior to that date is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to afford him a Board hearing and for further development related to his claims of increased disability rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested, at worst, by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The criteria for a higher evaluation of PTSD have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition. The claim for service connection for basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil was also denied due to lack of in-service exposure or a link to service-connected lung cancer.

The Veteran's current diagnosed depression and PTSD are not linked to an in-service stressor or disease, and the Board finds that service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from February 23, 1994 to March 26, 1997. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with adjustment disorder, depressed mood, and alcohol use disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. His lumbosacral strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support an increased rating for either condition.

The Veteran is granted a higher level of SMC based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and also entitled to SMC under subsection (o) for two separate awards. She is also eligible for the additional aid and attendance allowance under subsection (r)(1).

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and has determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of circumcision surgery. His anxiety disorder with major depression is rated at 100% since December 1, 2006.