PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD renders him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of March 11, 2008. His service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability prior to December 17, 2012. The evidence does not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating at any time during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, by themselves or in concert, have not been sufficient at any time during the period of the claim to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse has been rated at 70 percent since April 6, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran meets the minimum schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities, and after resolving reasonable doubt in his favor, he is found unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claimed headaches and memory loss are not shown to have been incurred in service, manifested within one year of service, or causally related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records, specifically those from his Reserve unit. The VA also needs to obtain private mental health treatment records and provide a VA psychiatric examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional procedural and substantive development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in this case, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a PTSD examination. The appeal will be remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for a rating of 30 percent for PTSD with a mood disorder, effective April 11, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran timely filed an appeal regarding his initial 10 percent rating for PTSD and established service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to GERD and hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent should be granted since July 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at his local RO, as he is currently incarcerated. The case will be readjudicated after any necessary accommodations are made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service experiences and has granted service connection for these acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to changes in his PTSD symptoms since the last examination and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to secure a new VA examination and obtain additional medical records. The issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for PTSD will be reconsidered after the additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied as the condition is not a disability for VA compensation purposes. The claims for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder were also addressed but are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for service-connected MDD/PTSD and a TDIU was granted, effective from April 17, 2012, and September 13, 2012 respectively. The Appellant is eligible for attorney fees based on these decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of additional compensation for his dependent wife and daughter was denied as proof of dependency was not provided within one year of the happening of the change in dependency or within one year of any qualifying rating decision.