PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling since April 22, 2016, has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

PTSD was granted and rated at 30 percent prior to July 6, 2004.,PTSD was granted and rated at 50 percent from July 6, 2004 to December 29, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, renal cell carcinoma and partial nephrectomy of left kidney, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, significantly impair his ability to work. The Board finds that these disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU, but his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for such before March 15, 2009. The case is being referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension (C&P) for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 70 percent, and the Board has now granted a higher rating of 100 percent effective December 2, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective the date of service connection. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity and impact of his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms producing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work, and for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, skin disability, fatigue, bilateral foot and elbow disabilities, right ankle disability, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral knee disability are denied. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is July 22, 2011.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for PTSD was received on October 7, 2004. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at June 19, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding psychiatric treatment records from the Vet Center and VA Medical Center. The Veteran's claims will be further developed before being reconsidered.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his TBI residuals are rated at 40 percent for headaches. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on the combined service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to September 4, 2015, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his left hip disability was rated appropriately at 30 percent (20 percent for compensation purposes) and his chondromalacia patella of the left knee warranted a 10 percent rating. The claim for service connection for PTSD and a TDIU rating is denied.

The Veteran's major depression with PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective October 16, 2010. His vertigo is rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the service-connected disabilities effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment and grants a TDIU.