PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU or SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that his other service-connected conditions, taken together, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case back to the AOJ for further development, including an extraschedular consideration for TDIU and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding the increased rating claim. The Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 50 percent.

The Board finds that the reduction of the PTSD rating from 70% to 30% was proper based on improvement in symptoms. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected PTSD, which is considered a direct service connection as it was not linked to any presumption or previously service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to December 2, 2009 and increased to 70 percent from April 19, 2016. The Board found that the evidence supported these ratings based on his symptoms of irritability or angry outbursts attendant with violence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased PTSD ratings and TDIU/DEA benefits was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating prior to June 15, 2016, and that he did not have pre-existing total service-connected disabilities or eligibility for DEA benefits prior to May 20, 2008.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's character of discharge does not preclude him from receiving service connection due to meeting the criteria for insanity during his period of service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, suicidal ideation, and several psychiatric hospitalizations. The Board finds that the disability picture most nearly approximates a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since October 15, 2009. This rating is based on the reopening of his claim for service connection due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disability is rated at 50% and he can still secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD or medication caused him to become obese and gain weight, which in turn contributed to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric condition and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, or any other psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current hearing loss or total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD, but granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to August 9, 2010, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background from December 17, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further efforts to verify the Veteran's reported in-service stressor, specifically regarding an Airman who reportedly died during training exercises. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares/sleep impairment, flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, and passive suicidal ideation. The Board granted a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest schedular rating (100%) since July 22, 2009.