PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric diagnoses.

The Board found that the appellant did not become unemployable prior to February 27, 2009, and thus denied an effective date earlier than this date for his TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and alcohol abuse disorder, do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that the claim for a TDIU must be denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 26, 2006. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective June 12, 2009 for TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since January 2004, and increased to 70 percent effective December 29, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to September 15, 2010, or from September 15, 2010, to December 28, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD at least as likely as not renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the schedular requirements for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to November 30, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from November 12, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU rating based on the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee musculoligamentous strain is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,PTSD has been granted with an increased rating to 70 percent effective January 2, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no credible evidence to support his claimed in-service stressors and he did not engage in combat with the enemy. The Veteran is already receiving a 100% evaluation for an unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting the severity of his symptoms such as depressed mood and anxiety. The rating does not account for other symptoms like flattened affect or impaired judgment.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and mood disorder, is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of December 27, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and adjudicating the issue of a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was not manifested by total occupational and social impairment from June 27, 2006 to September 23, 2013, or in excess of 70 percent from September 24, 2013 to October 5, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective January 27, 2016. He also received a TDIU effective the same date.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. A rating in excess of 70 percent for this period is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for her right shoulder disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation benefits for dependents is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since January 15, 2016. The VA has determined that the condition warrants this rating based on its current manifestations.