PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and requested additional information from the VA Office of Inspector General.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is now pending.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD and hearing loss are denied, but the Board finds a mixed disposition due to some issues being granted.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development due to inadequate previous examinations and failure to address specific issues in the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to December 20, 2011 was denied as the disability level and symptomatology are adequately described by the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence in remission, are related to his service. The claim is therefore granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant a higher initial rating prior to September 17, 2008 or from that date forward.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not alone render him unemployable. The combined effects of his service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions, particularly his neurocognitive disorder, are considered the primary factors preventing employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective November 22, 2011, the date of receipt of his claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity cold injuries. The combined rating for his service-connected disabilities at that time was 70 percent.

The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is not found to be related to service or his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 29, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had PTSD as a result of his active military service and that this condition contributed to his death. After resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant, the Board finds that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, nightmares, a lack of motivation, occasional suicidal ideations without plan or intent.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations if necessary. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating of his service-connected PTSD, leaving only other issues unresolved.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 13, 2014. The rating is granted as the symptoms meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating under the General Rating Formula for evaluating psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including right shoulder disability, hypertension, heart disability (mitral valve prolapse), PTSD, TBI, lumbar strain, and need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure and follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to May 13, 2013.