PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran was found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities prior to November 15, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has been unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to December 19, 2014. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for PTSD and consideration of the issue of CUE regarding the March 1984 rating decision. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of left shoulder trauma and surgery with limited motion, arthralgia, and complex regional pain syndrome (minor), and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive features is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent disabling since November 24, 2014. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation have been met due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and there is no evidence to support service connection for any other diagnosed mental health condition. The claim for bruxism was denied as well.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability did not have its onset in service and is not related to his service-connected conditions or Gulf War exposure. The hypertension claim was also denied as there was no evidence of a compensable degree within one year of separation, and it was not secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran's left knee replacement and right knee DJD are each rated at their respective disability levels.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the filing of new claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, which may affect his TDIU rating. The AOJ will develop these issues before considering the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The issue of service connection for pineal cysts is remanded due to conflicting medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service-connection for PTSD, MDD and Anxiety Disorder due to lack of credible in-service stressors and no link between current psychiatric conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, anxiety, migraine headaches, a left knee disability, and residuals of left wrist fracture with mild degenerative joint disease. The issues were broadened to include a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, were incurred in or caused by active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for PTSD on the basis of CUE and earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for various conditions was dismissed because his substantive appeal was not timely filed.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 21, 2011 is denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting further examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a skin condition are being deferred pending resolution of the psychiatric disorder claim.