PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's combined schedular disability rating was 100 percent, and he is contending that he is unemployable due to a combination of these same service-connected disabilities. The criteria for the assignment of a TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 29, 2008. The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD warrants a higher rating of 70 percent, but not higher. Additionally, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating prior to June 14, 2016. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder and PTSD.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU as of the date of claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that any current psychiatric disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during military service. The Board finds that the Veteran's current PTSD disability and shrapnel wound residuals are related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 17, 2013 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to address the Veteran's service connection claim, including his in-service experiences and current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hearing loss, PTSD, or a pulmonary disorder. The evidence is insufficient to establish these conditions as being related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is found to be related to his military service.,His peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is determined to be caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,His erectile dysfunction is also found to be caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and Parkinson's disease cannot be granted as there is no evidence of record supporting these claims. The Veteran served in Korea during the Korean War, not Vietnam, and thus does not meet the criteria for presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected depression, PTSD and alcoholism was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating prior to March 13, 2009 or since then.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and back pain disabilities precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 17, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and service connection for hypertension, including as due to herbicide exposure and secondary to PTSD, was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and status post Achilles tendon rupture, heel of left foot. The initial non-compensable ratings have been assigned.