PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a rating of 30 percent is warranted based on the evidence showing occupational and social impairment with an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with mood features remains on appeal.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for an initial compensable rating for inguinal hernia prior to September 18, 2013 and his claim for extension of a temporary total rating beyond October 31, 2010. The appeal is dismissed as only the ratings for the period prior to the temporary 100% rating are on appeal.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for a schedular award of TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, and has been awarded TDIU. Additionally, he is eligible for SMC benefits due to having at least one service-connected disability rated at 100% combined with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The Veteran's PTSD renders him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and malaria are found to have contributed to his death from acute coronary syndrome, but not as the principal cause. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed due to the grant of DIC based on service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 100 percent throughout the entire appeal period. The RO has also granted service connection for Crohn's disease and a right leg disability, effective from December 10, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from September 18, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms of his PTSD have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 50 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under DC 9411.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and PTSD with depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with adjustment disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (in remission) have been manifested by symptoms of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. Symptoms of total occupational and social impairment have not been shown.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to his in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new opinion on his ability to function in an occupational environment due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD that meets the DSM-IV criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand disability and PTSD have been reopened, but the underlying claims remain denied.,Service connection has not been established for a low back disability or bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.