PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to the lack of verified stressor, and his claim for an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD was also denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis.,There are no service-connected disabilities that would support a secondary service connection claim for ED.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected and granted her claim for service connection. The rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of each lower extremity was not appealed.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 50 percent effective May 5, 2016; and to 100 percent effective September 12, 2016. The TDIU issue is denied for the period from August 28, 2012, to September 12, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and dementia. The issue of TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating for the period on and after April 25, 2012.

The Board finds that the Veteran's posthumously diagnosed PTSD was related to his service and contributed to his death, thus granting service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD does not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. The in-service stressor must also be verified.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused reduced reliability and productivity in his occupational and social life prior to February 12, 2010. From that date forward, the symptoms caused deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period between May 5, 2003 to August 26, 2004. Therefore, his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 22, 2009. The Board found that the disability warranted a higher rating but did not provide adequate reasons or bases for denying an initial rating higher than 50 percent prior to April 27, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those pertaining to the evaluation of spine and foot conditions, service connection for hip replacements, pes planus, arthritis, PTSD, and residuals of syphilis. The appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have caused total social and occupational impairment prior to January 12, 2005. Effective from that date, the Veteran is granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, has been granted service connection.,Service connection for a sinus condition is also granted.

The Board found insufficient credible supporting evidence to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and thus denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board found that the Veteran experienced trauma after his active service, specifically the deaths of his first wife and ex-girlfriend, which led to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a previously scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing at the RO in Columbia, South Carolina.