PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the onset of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Alzheimer's disease render him unable to remain alone or function safely without supervision, causing total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to make a decision on the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inclusion of VA treatment records dated between February and August 2017 in the claims file. The case will be readjudicated, with all relevant evidence considered.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and genital herpes was denied. However, the VA granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with an initial 20 percent rating effective December 13, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood from September 18, 2008 to prior to April 23, 2011. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for this period.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the claim due to a lack of current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is evaluated at a 70 percent rating, and the Board finds that this level of disability does not warrant an increased rating to 100 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist are currently rated appropriately. The claim for service connection for elbow and shoulder pain is denied as it is part of his existing carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the October 2012 VA examination is inadequate and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has PTSD related to her in-service military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% effective March 2, 2011. The earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection is granted from March 2, 2011. No increased rating was granted for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 8, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 21, 2011 is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis. The case is remanded for further action regarding an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder prior to May 24, 2016 has been dismissed as no justiciable case or controversy is before the Board at this time.

The Board has found that the Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to November 26, 2014. For the period from November 26, 2014, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he can obtain and maintain such employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially to his death, and the appellant is granted DIC benefits. Accrued benefits are denied as there was no pending claim at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have contributed substantially and significantly to his death, which was caused by liver cancer. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hammertoes, calluses of the feet, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine due to a fall during VA medical treatment. The right shoulder disorder is also granted as a result of the same incident.