PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition. The issue is REMANDED as it is inextricably intertwined with the CUE challenge.,PTSD was reopened, and the Veteran's PTSD was found to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since May 23, 2008, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 14, 2004. The Board granted an effective date of October 14, 2004 for the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected mood disorder was denied, and the claim for TDIU was also denied. The Veteran's current disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and found that the Veteran's right knee disability claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues with the examination report and lay statements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, alcohol addiction secondary to PTSD, sleep disorder, and digestive disorder have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for PTSD and headaches, as well as an increased rating for left shoulder disability. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the increase in his PTSD rating from 30% to 50%, effective February 3, 2017. The TDIU issue is part of the PTSD claim and was not addressed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and panic disorder, is rated at 70 percent prior to January 29, 2014. From that date, the rating has been increased to 100 percent.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left hip disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether any diagnosed depression may be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, as he is not substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises.

The Veteran does not have a confirmed PTSD stressor and the Board finds no evidence of a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD that was caused by service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining accident reports and USPS employment records. The issues of an initial increased rating for PTSD, TDIU based on substitution, and service connection for the cause of death are all pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, inguinal hernia, and a burn scar on his left upper extremity) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As of December 15, 2011, the criteria for a TDIU were met due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for TBI and related psychiatric disabilities is denied as there are no current disabilities found to be residuals of a TBI incurred in service. The Veteran also does not have any service-connected disabilities, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.