PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms not warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because he failed to report for multiple VA examinations in October 2015 without good cause and entitlement to TDIU could not be established without current VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The appeal of the mental condition diagnosed as panic disorder with agoraphobia and anxiety disorder was dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, psychosis, and bipolar disorder. The case is being returned to VA for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and attempting to corroborate in-service stressors.

Service connection is denied for asbestosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and PTSD. The Veteran's asbestosis is not related to service exposure, while his chronic fatigue syndrome does not meet VA criteria. His PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating prior to June 9, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for hereditary hemochromatosis and PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition and headache condition are not service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otitis media, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), tinea, verruca vulgaris with angiokeratoma, respiratory condition, and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and posttraumatic stress disorder do not render him unemployable, as he has a high school education and over 40 years of work experience that allows for full-time employment in desk-based or minimal physical exertion roles.

The claim for service connection of a low back disability is granted. The claim for PTSD is denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating as well as a TDIU based on this condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a right leg disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, bilateral lung disorder, throat cancer, liver disorder, and bladder disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined with whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with features of PTSD was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent prior to July 17, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for updated VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a new examination to assess the severity of his condition. Additionally, the TDIU issue is also remanded as it is intertwined with the PTSD evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left arm conditions, PTSD, and hearing loss, prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 22, 2008. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, as well as a request for VA treatment records.