PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has ordered a new examination to assess the severity of his condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, as his symptoms have been linked to his in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and PTSD have been denied. The current ratings are 10 percent for the period prior to September 29, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a basal cell carcinoma of the right side of the nose was dismissed. The Board also remanded cases regarding his PTSD, coronary artery disease, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has the education and work history to perform sedentary administrative duties.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee, left hip, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral foot toe disabilities have been dismissed.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction has been granted.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from November 13, 2014 due to his service-connected psychiatric disability. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to this date remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 2, 1994 for service connection of PTSD was dismissed as there is no legal entitlement to such a claim.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, SMC based on housebound status, and TDIU from March 1, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not related to any service-connected disability or to service in any other way, and thus denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The appeals for service connection of right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities have been dismissed.,The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent prior to July 20, 2013 for PTSD has been dismissed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, and his PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent. Both conditions meet the criteria for their respective ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board has decided to remand both issues of rating PTSD and TDIU. Additional information from the Veteran regarding his employment history will be sought.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unemployable and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 2, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for increased PTSD rating and TDIU has been remanded due to the inextricability of the issues with his service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 7, 2011. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, but the Veteran's claim for a right thigh condition remains denied as there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to his active duty service. The other reopened claims are also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was not shown to cause total occupational and social impairment prior to December 19, 2017. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to June 16, 2016. After his testimony before the Board in June 2016, the rating was increased to 50 percent effective from that date.