PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is contingent on a finding of a permanent and total disability. The Board has ordered additional records to be obtained, including VA medical records from October 2014 to March 2017, and an opinion regarding the permanence of the severity of the service-connected epilepsy.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for further examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depressive disorders. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to service, including radiation exposure. Additionally, an opinion on whether the Veteran has a separate diagnosis for a headache condition is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease contributed to his cause of death, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claim. The evidence shows that the Veteran’s coronary artery disease may have aided or lent assistance to the production of his pulmonary fibrosis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable, as he is still working and able to perform the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded his claim for a higher rating. His TDIU claim was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his ability to maintain employment despite his PTSD symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,For bilateral hearing loss, a VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran has a current disability and its etiology.

An initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD was granted prior to September 18, 2012.,A rating of 100 percent for PTSD between October 4, 2012 and March 1, 2017 was granted.

The Veteran is granted an eligibility percentage for educational assistance of 100 percent under the Post 9/11 GI Bill due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating. The Veteran also received a TDIU prior to August 7, 2018 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is denied. The lung disability claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's reduction from a 70 percent to a 50 percent rating for PTSD was not proper, and the 70 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and an updated application for part-time work.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and he is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another. The issues regarding service connection for Parkinson’s disease and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD have not yet been adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low spine is granted. The claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (major depressive disorder), are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, characterized as PTSD with alcohol dependence, is rated at 70 percent. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 6, 2009 and also denied an extraschedular TDIU. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran was unable to find and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection, rating for hearing loss, and evaluation for anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.