PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service and granted his claim for service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, was also found to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including maxillary sinusitis, headaches, PTSD, fracture of the right zygoma, bilateral hearing loss, and facial sinus injury residuals of the 5th right cranial nerve, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted, resulting in a 70% disability rating. The claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain and TDIU were also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 16, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU for the period from May 10, 2011 to May 16, 2012. However, the TDIU claim was denied prior to May 10, 2011.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for PTSD, post-traumatic headaches, and cognitive residuals of TBI, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders found since the filing of the claim. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as the application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD was not received until April 29, 2004.,Service connection for a heart disorder on a direct and presumptive basis was declined because no new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and chronic depression, are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and TDIU due to new evidence suggesting a material change with regard to his disability since the last examination. The Veteran will need to provide additional VA treatment records, including those from Fayetteville, Arkansas, and undergo another VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 6, 2012, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 21, 2009 and a 100 percent rating is granted for the period of hospitalization from July 27, 2015 to October 5, 2015. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and an adjustment disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no causal relationship between his current psychiatric disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected as it is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.