PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 17, 2009. The Board also determined that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU had not been raised in this context.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there was no corroborated stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The acquired psychiatric disability is therefore denied as service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to February 21, 2008, but did not result in deficiencies in most areas. From February 21, 2008, the Veteran experienced significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The criteria to establish entitlement to a TDIU are also met.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him disabled to the extent that he requires the regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MDD did not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment during the period from March 22, 2012 to January 6, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on the Veteran's in-service stressor related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and found that the Veteran's lay testimony alone was sufficient to establish the occurrence of the claimed stressor.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the occupational impact of his service-connected PTSD on his employability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood during the period from October 4, 2011 to January 5, 2016. Therefore, a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling since June 20, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU was dismissed due to the failure to file a timely Substantive Appeal after receiving the SOC.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent prior to August 16, 2017 and 20 percent thereafter. The evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating IVDS Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to alcohol use and not service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence to support reopening. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and schizoaffective disorder) and low back disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's PTSD, effective August 4, 2008. The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent was denied.

The Veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations, resulting in the denial of claims for increased ratings and service connection.,A right hand disorder other than status post right 5th finger fracture with deformity was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease was less likely than not caused by exposure to herbicide agents in service or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Board also determined that the Veteran's sole service-connected disability, PTSD, did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 90%, which satisfies the regulatory threshold for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.