PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA mental health examination and referral to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent from June 4, 2008 to June 23, 2010 and increased to 30 percent from June 24, 2010 to July 17, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The decision also denied entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate as there was no single disability rated as 100% disabling or a TDIU rating based on multiple disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his service, specifically his fear of hostile military activity during active duty in Vietnam. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with substance abuse was rated at 50 percent since July 28, 2016. The rating is less than the maximum available rating of 70%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect, as his overall disability rating is at least 70% and he has the ability to perform substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has found that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. Additionally, he was deemed unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD disability has been rated at 70 percent since July 13, 2010. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met during any period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination details and a need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's PTSD with major depression disability rating is being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations for PTSD and eligibility for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The claim will be returned to the Board after these examinations are completed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues, indicating satisfaction with the assigned disability evaluations and requesting that they be finalized.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 2013, and the Board finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to service-related stressors and physical/sexual assaults in the brig. The Board finds a need for a new VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to locate the Veteran's complete service personnel records and service treatment records, including any hospitalization records. The AOJ will then review these records for evidence of stressor events in service and whether the Veteran served in circumstances consistent with a fear of hostile action.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the current diagnoses and their relationship to service, as there are conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating due to their chronic nature and improvement with treatment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The claim of reopening a hepatitis service connection claim has been denied as no new and material evidence has been submitted. Other claims were either not granted or are pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for ischemic heart disease, as there is no current diagnosis of this condition. The reopened PTSD claim will be further evaluated based on the provided evidence.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient enough to reopen the Veteran's claim for PTSD, with a new theory of entitlement based on fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.