PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric symptoms do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the period of December 14, 2010 through September 9, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the Veteran's claims may be adjudicated, including obtaining VA examinations and records to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders, headaches, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been granted, with a 30% evaluation effective from March 22, 2005. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for depression and assigned a 30% evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to outstanding records from the Arizona Department of Corrections and Nevada Department of Corrections. The AOJ will attempt to obtain these records and readjudicate the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling prior to October 4, 2012. The claim for a TDIU prior to this date has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for increased SMC based on need for higher level of aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria for receiving SMC at the maximum rate under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(o).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records from the South Bend Vet Center, provide VCAA notice regarding personal assault claims, seek alternative sources of evidence, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for depression disability and bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee disorder and denied service connection for it. The claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left foot disorder due to VA treatment is also denied.,Service connection was denied for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Bipolar Disorder), hepatitis C, and a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have improved, with symptoms now more closely approximating the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety with polysubstance abuse, is being remanded due to the need to verify a claimed stressor and obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development and consideration. The AOJ will review the evidence, including VA outpatient treatment records and a new VA examination, in light of the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and to determine if he is unemployable due to this disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The initial compensable ratings for healed fracture of the right fifth finger and scar of the right fifth finger remain under consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render her unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment.