PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine and tension headaches. The Veteran's PTSD claim was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine his eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected conditions. The AOJ will also seek information from the Social Security Administration regarding any disability benefits awarded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active military service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or a neurological disorder, claimed as shaking hands.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD, which he alleges was caused by an in-service assault during his period of ACDUTRA. The Board will schedule a VA examination to determine if this diagnosis is related to his military experience.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent prior to September 22, 2013 and at 50 percent since then. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of mental health treatment provided to the Veteran in 1983 and providing a medical opinion on whether bipolar disorder is causally connected to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of sufficiently severe occupational and social impairment to warrant a 70 percent rating, and has rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as her service-connected disabilities did not result in such needs.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with an evaluation of 50 percent effective August 23, 2012. The left knee disorder issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether a TDIU is warranted on an extra-schedular basis, as well as adjudication of the SMC claim. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and back disability are significant factors in his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted effective July 12, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and the evidence of record does not establish that his service-connected PTSD prevents him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 18, 2008, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective March 6, 2017. The rating has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing service records and SSA records, as well as to schedule him for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and HIV.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and scheduling an examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Depressed Mood. The overall weight of the evidence is against a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that this level of disability is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 3, 2008.