PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected PTSD and residuals of a stem injury of the left eye, and thus remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits is being remanded for a detailed accounting and referral to the Committee on Waivers and Compromises. The issue of entitlement to a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of $1,581.37 is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence, as well as right ear tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the final denial raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's left knee brace is not service-connected, and he does not use it to treat any of his other service-connected disabilities. The Board finds no eligibility for a clothing allowance due to the left knee brace.,The Veteran uses a manual wheelchair primarily due to severe effects from multiple service-connected conditions including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and neuropathies. The VAMC's decision was incorrect in concluding that the use of the wheelchair is not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted with an effective date of November 7, 1996. The decision is based on the direct service connection of PTSD and not due to any presumption or new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for special monthly compensation based upon the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor. The VA needs to verify the reported stressor with the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date issues related to his PTSD. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his combat experience during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination and any current VA treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's cause of death due to presumed natural causes, finding that his PTSD and MDD are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are found to be of sufficient severity to require the need for assistance with his activities of daily living. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions alone meet the criteria for SMC based on the regular need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw the issue.

The Veteran's tension headaches prior to May 18, 2013 were not manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months. The Veteran’s tension headaches are rated by analogy to Diagnostic Code 8100 for migraines. As the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran's tension headache symptoms approximated the criteria for a compensable rating, his claim for a compensable rating prior to May 18, 2013 was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with post-operative residuals of coronary artery bypass surgery, posttraumatic stress disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was withdrawn prior to a decision.,His bilateral hearing loss is rated as zero percent since June 7, 2012. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during this period.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine if there has been any worsening of the Veteran's PTSD since his last VA examination, and to address whether he is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill are granted at the 100 percent rate due to his service-connected PTSD and at least 30 continuous days of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's character of discharge was upgraded to under honorable conditions (general), thus removing any bar to VA benefits. The underlying merits of the service connection claims will now be adjudicated.