PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to July 20, 2016 has been withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and whether such disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70% since September 1, 2016. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and an eye disorder other than diabetic retinopathy (presumed to be glaucoma). He was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has been granted a TDIU since January 8, 2007 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcoholism and drug use disorder prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his inability to interact with others, but he is not unable to secure or follow such an occupation solely as a result of these disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 24, 2013. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as near-continuous depression affecting his ability to function independently.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 1, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD as of May 1, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to his occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD. The Veteran's diagnoses of PTSD and MDD are associated with his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of a current left leg disorder and denies service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety, will be remanded to obtain additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's incarceration, which has hampered VA's duty to assist. The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions including head injury, depression, hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, PTSD, substance abuse, genital herpes, hepatitis C, and joint and muscle pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a travel board hearing, and the need to schedule such a hearing before the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examination and the current level of disability assessment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are currently manifested by reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD precludes him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow such an occupation as a result of his PTSD symptoms. As a result, TDIU has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance/housebound status. The Veteran was found not to have a disability that required regular aid and assistance or to be permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and opinions regarding service connection for various conditions, including benign prostate hyperplasia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, hiatal hernia, GERD, PUD, chronic colitis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of both hips, degenerative joint disease of both knees, and degenerative joint disease of both feet.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scars (claimed as jungle rot and scars) was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's PTSD did not warrant a higher initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to June 6, 2012, or an increased rating from that date. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim since July 1, 2008 was denied.