PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The remaining issues were not addressed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as he has not provided necessary financial information and his combined disability rating is less than 70%.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety reaction were manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to August 23, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 28, 2015 or higher than 50 percent since then.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD, effective August 13, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and a TDIU, thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for a right foot disorder, swelling of the lower extremities (including a right foot disorder), and PTSD. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and Anxiety Disorder, effective prior to June 3, 2015. He is currently rated at 30 percent for sinusitis.,Effective June 3, 2015, the Veteran's sinusitis has been rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is denied, but he is granted service connection for Chronic Adjustment Disorder with Depressed and Anxious Features.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to incomplete information regarding his employment status and the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA opinion on the impact of service-connected disabilities on employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, Ischemic Heart Disease, cervical radiculitis, ulnar radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities) preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background since January 1, 2013. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran has been unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities since at least 1981, which is the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 28, 2010, based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was granted by the VBA in an October 2016 rating decision, and thus there is no justiciable case or controversy remaining.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board. The case will be returned to the AOJ after the requested hearing.