PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, was denied as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The remaining issues have been REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD requires regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities, requiring assistance from his daughter. The Board granted SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated a 50 percent disability rating, consistent with his current condition. The earliest possible effective date for service connection of PTSD is March 23, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder (claimed as a nervous condition) due to new evidence not being received. The hypertension claim is also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened and remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his claimed Vietnam service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 80 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the diabetes rating remains at 20 percent. The case is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of the diabetes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for updated treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder. The issues include determining if new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided that further attempts must be made to verify the Veteran's reported in-service stressor and an updated VA examination is necessary to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and drug and alcohol abuse disorder, are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bruxism and the TDIU claim were both remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim is being remanded because there are missing VA treatment records from her file, which she contends are pertinent to the PTSD claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected disabilities, specifically ischemic heart disease, PTSD, diabetes, hearing loss and tinnitus, or chronic migraine headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD, left and right hand peripheral neuropathy, and cold injury residuals of the hands have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned initial ratings for his conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that an increased rating to a higher percentage is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are rated at 50 percent prior to April 10, 2018, and at 70 percent since then. The Board has remanded the case for further development including obtaining a VA examination and clarifying employment status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for total disability rating based upon individual unemployability.