PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, including SSA benefits information.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an earlier effective date for PTSD and ratings higher than 30 percent for PTSD prior to May 25, 2012, as well as a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD from May 25, 2012. The appeal is dismissed due to the lack of a properly filed Substantive Appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and PTSD, is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU due to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was filed on November 8, 2005. The Board has determined that the effective date of service connection for PTSD should be set at November 8, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to work since his retirement in 2008. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise on whether these conditions preclude employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% after November 29, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and the request for TDIU are both denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CAD and PTSD, as well as a TDIU determination, were denied. The rating for CAD was not granted above 30 percent prior to May 15, 2015, due to the severity of his symptoms. The rating for PTSD was also not granted above 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unresolved issues regarding his right foot, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders. Other claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD, CAD, and peripheral neuropathy) made it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 30, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis) are rated at 70%, 30%, and 30% respectively. The combined rating is 90%. The Board finds that the Veteran's disabilities preclude him from participating in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to January 15, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD and found that the criteria for TDIU were not met before this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent and total disability that precludes locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. The Board finds that the criteria for entitlement to a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing are met.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD should be remanded for further evaluation and to obtain additional medical records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neurological disorder, and TDIU due to issues with development of records and need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to an in-service traumatic event during basic training.

The Veteran's PTSD with sleep disorder and right knee scar associated with arthroscopic surgery are not rated higher than the current 70% and 10% evaluations, respectively. The case is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder and dysthymic disorder are rated at 70 percent, which is sufficient for a TDIU. The effective date of the TDIU is September 7, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation.