PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a psychiatric evaluation to assess the current severity of his PTSD and securing updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for PTSD, skin cancer, and service connection for hypertension have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of those claims. The appeal for tinnitus has also been dismissed as it was fully satisfied by a previous decision.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 27, 2009 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD based on the exception to the general rule for effective dates. The Veteran's claim was received on August 20, 2009, and there is evidence demonstrating that a factually ascertainable increase in disability occurred within one year of receipt of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied as there is no evidence of a claim or entitlement prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine its impact on employment. Outstanding VA treatment records are also needed.

The Board has granted service connection for Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and PTSD, but denied service connection for low back strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD are related to his wartime experiences.

The Board has ordered additional efforts to obtain records from the Veteran's private doctors and VA medical centers. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional review of his treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. Service connection was granted for left wrist scar, but with an initial rating of 0%. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for painful limited motion of the left wrist and limited motion of the left thumb were both granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD with an obsessive compulsive disorder is granted, as the Board finds that his current symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The claim for a bilateral foot disability remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. No service connection has been decided as the appeal is not about a condition related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with features of PTSD and depressive symptoms is denied as a matter of law.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective February 29, 2012.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability has been manifested by symptoms that have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his PTSD, substance abuse, and hypertension. The case will be reviewed after additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and panic disorder with agoraphobia), are not related to her service. The presumption of soundness applies as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that a preexisting condition existed prior to her entry into service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if his PTSD-related symptoms are causing or contributing to his need for A&A and HB. The service connection claim for dementia will also be considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 70 percent disabling, effective March 20, 2014. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation have been met.