PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral upper extremity orthopedic disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lung disorders (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and emphysema), and posttraumatic stress disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or related to active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied an increased rating, with the effective date of September 17, 2007.,Service connection for a low back disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The claim will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify specific reported in-service stressors and further develop his claim.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, but not higher, throughout the period of the claim. Effective from October 27, 2012, he is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of fractures and psychiatric disorders are granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Board finds that service connection for any psychiatric disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking his symptoms to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, are sufficiently severe to produce unemployability without regard to advancing age. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his PTSD and CAD.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status has been denied as she is not in need of such assistance.

The Veteran's PTSD did not more closely approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 50% during the period from June 21, 2010 to January 8, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating prior to August 29, 2007. The Board has also granted TDIU for the period prior to August 29, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been shown to cause total occupational and social impairment, resulting in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 17, 2013 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. The Board denied his claim.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between her current psychiatric and foot disabilities and her military service. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to provide additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, right wrist, left wrist, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as PTSD. The TDIU claim is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD prior to February 26, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, which existed before active service, was found to be aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and TDIU is granted.