PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further research on his claimed in-service stressor and a new examination to determine if he has PTSD related to military service. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, meeting the schedular requirements for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. However, he is currently employed in a stable IT job and has successfully completed his associate's degree, indicating that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines. The RO should also consider whether he is eligible for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD caused significant impairment from March 18, 2010, to September 29, 2013. Since then, he has been unable to hold a job and gave up his weapons licenses due to safety concerns.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and completing development of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's hypertensive cardiovascular disease with renal impairment and pacemaker is rated at 100 percent from March 11, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since February 14, 2008. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 requires a compensable rating. There are no compensable ratings for impotence, urticaria, or headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder not otherwise specified have been rated as 70 percent disabling from October 13, 2011 to January 6, 2014. Since June 1, 2013, the Veteran has also been granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the relationship between his service and any current disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and paresthesias of the bilateral upper extremities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The Veteran appealed these decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court), which remanded them back to the Board.

The case is being remanded for additional development due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The TDIU claim was also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his authorized representative, thus dismissing both issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), left knee disability, kidney disorder, and hypertension. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including verifying the Veteran's alleged stressors during service.

The Veteran's PTSD causes significant occupational and social impairment, but does not result in total occupational and social impairment. The collective lay and medical evidence on the question of whether his service-connected disability prevents from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment is in relative equipoise.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and establishes a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, as well as his bilateral knee disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide the case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.