PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II with impotence, diabetic polyneuropathy right and left lower extremities, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and hypertension, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of June 17, 2012. The Board granted a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability from that date.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for PTSD is dismissed. The issue of service connection for hypertension, secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, and gastritis. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on this evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and his posttraumatic stress disorder is granted a 70 percent rating. The issue of total disability based on individual unemployability was denied.

The Veteran's claim to establish service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran incurred PTSD as a result of an in-service stressor event, which is consistent with his service record.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder, left hip replacement due to degenerative arthritis and avascular necrosis, and residuals of a right hip injury from May 26, 2009 to August 31, 2013 as additional development is required.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) features was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and that his suicide may have been due to an undiagnosed mental health condition related to his service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether PTSD or another service-connected condition contributed to his death, so the Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The symptoms described do not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of sleep apnea but remands to obtain his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and development of stressor evidence. The Veteran's statements, including his testimony at a Travel Board hearing, suggest that his current psychiatric conditions may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is now remanded for a VA examination to determine if there is a link between his current PTSD symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and his prostate cancer residuals are not compensable. The Board denied the higher ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to October 20, 2015. However, for the period from October 20, 2015, there is no evidence showing total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's GERD with gastritis is rated at 60 percent, which meets the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and GERD with gastritis qualify him for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) for the entire period on appeal due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary before the Board can adjudicate the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and total disability rating based on individual employability. The Veteran was afforded a VA examination in April 2018, but the examiner did not provide sufficient rationale regarding why the stressors are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity according to the definition provided by the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD and service connection for a cervical spine disorder has been remanded. The TDIU issue is also pending due to its interdependence with the cervical spine disorder claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since July 9, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating (70%) as they were consistent with reduced reliability and productivity but did not reach deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.