PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to a non-combat stressor, and her claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has withdrawn the issue of ischemic heart disease due to the Veteran's request. The claim for PTSD is granted as there is at least equipoise evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors. Service connection for lung disability is granted based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder has been withdrawn. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a right hand disability is still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to the Veteran's reported in-service stressors, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred as a result of stressors during service and is granted for accrued benefits purposes.,The Veteran's heart arrhythmia found many years after service was not attributable to disease or injury in service and is denied for accrued benefits purposes.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral upper extremities was not attributable to any exposure, disease, or injury in service and is denied for accrued benefits purposes.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral lower extremities was not attributable to any exposure, disease, or injury in service and is denied for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran had PTSD as a result of his military service and was rated at 50% for his right knee disability. The need for aid and attendance or housebound status is unknown due to the pending SMC claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 23, 2015. The rating is based on the current severity of his symptoms and their impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of a stressor or a causal link to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 30 percent since August 18, 2009. The symptoms include occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but not higher. The claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and prostate cancer residuals have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to specific dates have not been decided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 11, 2002 for the award of service connection for PTSD and a higher initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was initially denied in October 2002 due to lack of a verified stressor and medical nexus.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits, and no new and material evidence has been presented to reopen this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his other psychiatric disorders are not shown to be related to service. Therefore, service connection for both PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and verifying the Veteran's incarceration status. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective October 2, 2013. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his claims, and the Board has dismissed them.