PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for rashes and entitlement to increased initial ratings for PTSD and scar residual.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD disability evaluation, earlier effective date for PTSD service connection, reopening of thoracolumbar spine disorder claim, and TDIU are all denied. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, impaired abstract thinking, disturbances of motivation and mood, and near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently.

The Board found that the reduction in disability rating from 100% to 70% for mood disorder (previously PTSD) was not proper, as it did not show improvement under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's daughter, T.L.H., is permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to severe mental disabilities and finds that she meets the criteria for recognition as a helpless child.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for higher ratings for PTSD and the denial of TDIU prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to November 18, 1992 was denied as his service-connected schizophrenia and PTSD did not meet the criteria for a TDIU at that time.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, was found to be incurred as a result of active duty service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, including frequent panic attacks, memory impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, social isolation, and difficulty establishing relationships. These symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 16, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a service-connected disability in all cases.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 8, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD did not manifest occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or an inability to establish or maintain any effective relationships with others, warranting a rating higher than the current 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and considering new evidence. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD and TDIU was denied as the earliest date of entitlement is February 28, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from October 1, 2006 through June 14, 2016 and at 70 percent from June 15, 2016. The TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from private health care providers and clarifying when each diagnosed psychiatric disability first manifested.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder was granted. The effective date of the grant of service connection is pending further development.