PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability from July 1, 2010 due to his service-connected PTSD, right knee condition, left knee condition, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that may be relevant to the Veteran's claim for a TDIU. The Veteran should provide any additional records, including from Dr. M.L., so they can be reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, removal of spleen, and PTSD have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has any current disabilities related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD/traumatic blast injury is rated at 70 percent, and the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the following reasons: (1) A more contemporaneous examination of the service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder NOS is warranted; (2) The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus, type II requires additional VA examination to assess the current nature and extent of this service-connected disability; (3) The Veteran’s claims for service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities require obtaining relevant private treatment records and a VA examination to determine if these disabilities are related to service; (4) A remand is also necessary for determining the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and any other nonservice-connected disabilities, as well as whether he meets the requirement for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been shown to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating from June 20, 2018. The appeal is denied as the Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings or TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective November 18, 2010. The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current education, experience, and skills render him suitable for certain positions. However, due to his worsening PTSD, which is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, he may not be able to perform these jobs effectively. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records and conduct further evaluations to determine if the Veteran can pursue an advanced degree or change his career path.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not higher due to his symptoms being of a similar severity as those associated with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's COPD and PTSD ratings have been restored, and he is now eligible for special monthly compensation. The scar from his lung cancer treatment remains noncompensable.

Entitlement to service connection for Hepatitis C has been withdrawn.,Service connection granted for chronic degenerative disc disease L5-S1 (lumbar spine disorder).,The effective date of the award of service connection for PTSD is denied, as it does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hemorrhoids has been granted. The cases for increased rating of PTSD and GERD have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD is granted, effective from April 7, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD with depression, diabetes mellitus, and weakness of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine their current severity and etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to the need to address other issues that may impact the TDIU and Chapter 35 (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a detailed employment history. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and need for a new opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements about in-service trauma.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issue of a higher rating for xerosis with pruritis. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (previously denied as schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder) is granted. Service connection is also granted for the acquired psychiatric disability, which includes PTSD, depression, and schizoaffective disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.