PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to December 11, 2014 and at 70 percent thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD should be remanded for further evaluation and additional records are needed. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he is deceased.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a personality disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD has been reopened. Service connection is granted for sinusitis but the claims for sleep apnea, cancer (right carotid body tumor), and left elbow disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU rating. The Board found the evidence supported that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety and PTSD; and for hypertension. The VA examinations are required to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a liver disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the appellant's character of discharge and its impact on his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD, GAD, PTSD and insomnia disorder. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on having a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent plus a separate and distinct disability or disabilities ratable at 60 percent, prior to December 20, 2013, was denied. The Veteran's claim for total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service connected disabilities, beginning January 31, 2012, was granted with an effective date of January 31, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and for an effective date prior to September 19, 1996 for the grant of service connection for stable angina.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid gland disease and PTSD have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been granted, but a remand is required to obtain an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of performing his activities of daily living and require regular aid and assistance to protect him from hazards.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus are found to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are currently rated at 70 percent prior to September 16, 2014, and from February 1, 2015 to May 1, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating during these periods.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but generally functions satisfactorily. The Board finds the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The issue of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability was also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for peptic ulcer disease and posttraumatic stress disorder were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD, right ankle DJD, right ankle laxity, painful scar on the right ankle, and linear surgical scar on the right ankle are all being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, his TDIU claim is also being remanded.