PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea and PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicide agents and an in-service stressor. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, type II diabetes mellitus, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's suicide was due to his service-connected PTSD, which is considered a direct result of his military service. The claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits is moot as the award of disability and indemnity compensation (DIC) based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death renders this benefit unnecessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in conjunction with his education and work history, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment from February 14, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, and he is eligible for TDIU benefits beginning May 2012. His diabetes mellitus II and PTSD are also service-connected, but do not meet the threshold requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected PTSD on his employability and to determine if he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sinusitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of in-service disease or injury, and no link between current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals in their entirety prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, is found to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain (low back) and thoracic paraspinous myofascial pain syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 21, 2016.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective May 18, 2015. Prior to this date, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU due to incomplete development of the record. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations and a supplemental statement of the case must be issued.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The effective date of the award of service connection for PTSD is set at November 15, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD and back disability were not found to warrant a higher rating or service connection, respectively. The Veteran was also denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU prior to March 30, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was rated at a non-compensable level prior to November 2, 2015. After that date, his disability evaluation for the condition increased to 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation. The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding treatment records and authorization from the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for asthma and obstructive sleep apnea were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted with a rating of 100% effective from the date of death.,The claims for neurodegenerative disease (including ALS and PSP) and PTSD/Depression were also granted with a rating of 100%, effective from the date of death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining records from JSRRC and VA eye examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, bilateral eyes, shoulders, knees, and spine are all remanded.