PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person, housebound status, special home adaptation or specially adapted housing, and automobile adaptive equipment are remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, right wrist sprain, left shin splints, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The appeals are also remanded for further evaluation of other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from June 16, 2011 until January 23, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU for this period as his combined disability rating was at least 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors during deployment in the Philippines. Additional development is needed, including verification of the alleged stressful events.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tension headaches was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now rated at 70% for PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse should be evaluated at a higher level than 50 percent, and that he is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability and thus, it could not be service connected.,For PTSD, the Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective December 18, 2009 to January 9, 2012, based on symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, and inability to establish effective relationships. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for arthritis and heart condition, as well as reopening of claims for gastrointestinal disorder and PTSD. The VA is required to obtain SSA records, VA treatment records, workers' compensation records, and psychiatric examination records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD secondary to his bipolar disorder and a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder prior to June 9, 2017 have been dismissed due to the withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 12, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is granted. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease and total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, judgment, thinking, and mood. A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted prior to November 2, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and low back disability due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations, including a lack of range of motion testing. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to assess his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD secondary to MST has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective October 1, 2010. A TDIU was granted from the same date.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, a compensable initial rating for left varicocele, and TDIU. The Veteran's request for a personal hearing on the PTSD issue is noted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent or more for diabetes mellitus is dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted a 100 percent disability rating, effective December 28, 2011. The claim for TDIU is also dismissed as the PTSD with depression alone renders the Veteran unemployable.