PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's asthma, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), back disability, cervical spine disability, heart disability, bilateral ankle disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disability are not service connected. The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were found to be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including searching for outpatient mental health records from Ireland Army Hospital at Fort Knox and the 209th General Dispensary in Germany. The case will also be reviewed to determine if a VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's mental health disabilities, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 29, 2010. From that date until the present, his PTSD alone does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing the combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating due to service-connected PTSD has been denied as there is no factual basis to support such a determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for PTSD, Chronic Widespread Pain Syndrome, and Respiratory Issues.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have current PTSD caused by a verified in-service stressor and his diagnosed psychiatric disorder was not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from July 10, 2008. Effective December 3, 2015, the Veteran experiences significant deficiencies as a result of his PTSD, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with depression and TDIU was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for PTSD, which was granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and examination to determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD, mood disorder, and panic disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for PTSD, resulting in the dismissal of this matter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is warranted throughout the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of back, left knee, PTSD, anxiety disorder, right shoulder disability, and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The underlying issues are addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not include loss or permanent use of one or both feet, hands, vision, a severe burn injury, or ALS. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, providing an opinion on direct service connection for fibromyalgia, and issuing a statement of the case regarding PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluation of PTSD, service connection for urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and TDIU have all been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD and found that his disability picture during this period is better represented by a 50 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.