PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to new evidence being associated with the case after the most recent VA examination in June 2014. The Veteran should be provided with a new, contemporaneous examination regarding his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total impairment to occupational and social functioning as of February 1, 2011. The Board granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD based on the severity of symptoms during this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of current diagnosis and no credible evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been granted a rating of 70 percent, effective August 26, 2013. The decision is based on the symptoms and impairment described in the VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, glaucoma, and left ear hearing loss is now before the AOJ.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD should be rated at a higher level than 30 percent, and has ordered additional development to gather more information about his condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and PTSD as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy with glaucoma and cataracts, and other conditions. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to work since June 1, 2011. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the combined impact of these conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable as of January 19, 2012. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from March 10, 2011 due to service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant have been denied as her service-connected disabilities do not meet the legal criteria for these benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran did not timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with the July 2007 rating decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, and thus the decision became final.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be the result of his active service, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence establishing a current disability and/or a link between the claimed conditions and service. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for PTSD, but did not find any material evidence relating to the left hip disorder.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development of medical records from VAMC Memphis dated March 2012 and onwards. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), chest pain, and left ankle disability. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The AOJ must also verify any in-service stressor related to witnessing a fight that included a stabbing while serving in Bahrain in August 1991, and determine whether the Veteran's current symptoms are due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness due to service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of her psychiatric, back, and hip disabilities.