PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but his case is remanded to consider an extraschedular TDIU based on his employment difficulties due to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service stressors and therefore, denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was denied, but his claim for service connection for Other specified bipolar disorder was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from September 24, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since March 18, 2011. Effective date of TDIU is granted as of that date.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) because his service-connected PTSD did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that no written communication requesting such a claim was received before September 30, 2015.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and Diabetes Mellitus, with the condition being in equipoise as to whether it prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have been granted a 100% rating for the entire appeal period, effective as of the date of the decision. The claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is moot due to the grant of a 100% schedular evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including neurodermatitis and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent evaluation prior to May 5, 2011. This rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment but not total impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as he does not have a single, permanent service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and is not permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The claim for PTSD is dismissed. The claim for major depressive disorder is granted. Claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol and substance abuse was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent. The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to December 18, 2015 was also denied, as there is no evidence that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current ratings for coronary artery disease, scar, status-post boil treatment, left forearm, and PTSD are not adequate due to worsening symptoms. New examinations with updated findings should be conducted.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of hypertension but his service records do not document the disorder. A remand is required to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding service connection for hypertension based on herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran submitted a statement indicating that during service he had to walk through infested waters while in Vietnam and believes this caused his skin problems. A remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an examination and to obtain an opinion addressing etiology of his claimed condition.,A claim for a TDIU is considered part of increased rating claims. Additional development has been requested with respect to the remanded PTSD, left arm scar, and heart disease claims which may generate evidence relevant to a TDIU. The matter is also remanded.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of jungle rot in his bilateral feet. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of this condition.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for an increased disability rating for tension headaches. The case of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, amnesia, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed. The claims of entitlement to a higher rating for Reiter’s syndrome prior to September 21, 2015 and for TDIU prior to September 15, 2015 were withdrawn.