PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his lower extremities, including whether they have resulted in loss or use of one or both feet.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to assess the current manifestations of PTSD and any separate psychiatric disorder. The AOJ will also determine if TDIU on an extraschedular basis can be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and low back injury residuals were not timely filed, resulting in their denial. The effective dates for these conditions have also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not make him permanently bedridden or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Veteran does not have a single service-connected disability rated 100 percent with separate service-connected disabilities ratable at 60 percent or more, nor is he permanently confined to his immediate premises as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including locating and associating articles submitted by the Veteran at a previous hearing with his electronic VA record, and obtaining an addendum opinion from the July 2016 VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The issues include seeking an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA mental health examination and referral to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent from June 4, 2008 to June 23, 2010 and increased to 30 percent from June 24, 2010 to July 17, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The decision also denied entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate as there was no single disability rated as 100% disabling or a TDIU rating based on multiple disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his service, specifically his fear of hostile military activity during active duty in Vietnam. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with substance abuse was rated at 50 percent since July 28, 2016. The rating is less than the maximum available rating of 70%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect, as his overall disability rating is at least 70% and he has the ability to perform substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has found that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. Additionally, he was deemed unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD disability has been rated at 70 percent since July 13, 2010. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met during any period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination details and a need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's PTSD with major depression disability rating is being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations for PTSD and eligibility for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The claim will be returned to the Board after these examinations are completed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues, indicating satisfaction with the assigned disability evaluations and requesting that they be finalized.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 2013, and the Board finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is granted.