PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claims for service connection for heart disorder and lumbar spine disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was received on September 15, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran did not have an intent to file a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right leg injuries and knee disorders, have resulted in the loss of use of one lower extremity and affect his functions of balance and propulsion. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing eligibility.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to her in-service stressors and childhood trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating, and the issues of service connection for osteoarthritis and depression have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability is moot as the Veteran now receives a 100% schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cold injury to both feet, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar disc disease, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and PTSD. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions as well as a TDIU determination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, including her reported assault in 1967 and her duties as a clinical specialist during service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA psychological examination report.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted due to lack of evidence showing left ventricular dysfunction or workload less than 5 METs.,The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU based on his combined rating of 80 percent. The Board finds that he is unemployable due to service-connected PTSD, lung cancer residuals, CAD, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's vertigo and Meniere’s disease are granted as secondary to service-connected hearing loss.,PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted at a 70% rating from May 19, 2016 to October 3, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating beyond this period is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The effective date claim is denied as there was no pending formal or informal claim prior to April 11, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of thoracolumbar strain, neuropathy of the great toes, and flat feet are denied. The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and for flat feet.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to respiratory failure, bilateral pleural effusion, severe congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. The appellant contends that the Veteran’s service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder NOS caused or contributed to his fatal heart disease. The Board finds a remand necessary for an opinion on whether the service-connected conditions were principal or contributory causes of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and residuals of a concussion are remanded due to the need to verify his claimed in-service personal assault and obtain VA treatment records. Additionally, he needs a VA examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of his alleged in-service assault.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA examinations are needed for a comprehensive evaluation of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and for an opinion regarding his service-connected PTSD, as well as his overall occupational functioning due to all of his disabilities. The current evaluations for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from April 10, 2013. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Board has not determined whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for somatization disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no new and material evidence, but his claim of service connection for somatization disorder is denied due to lack of nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.