PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of PTSD should be February 3, 2011 as it is based on a petition to reopen filed in February 2011.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a PTSD claim.

The Board has ordered the VA to reconsider the claim for service connection for PTSD, considering a new regulation. The Veteran's condition is still under review and no rating or effective date has been assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected low back disability and completion of a VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability). The TDIU claim is intertwined with the claim for a higher rating for the low back disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent for the period from June 19, 2013 to April 22, 2014. The rating for residuals of shrapnel wound to right hand remains at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and insomnia are granted a 100% evaluation effective August 1, 2013. The earlier date of August 1, 2013 is determined as the earliest within one year prior to his July 1, 2014 claim for an increased rating that demonstrates a factually ascertainable increase in disability.

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for PTSD and a TDIU based on service-connected PTSD was denied. The Board found that the schedular ratings adequately described his disability picture, and there were no exceptional factors present to warrant an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's cannabis use disorder and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 15, 2006 and a TDIU was granted from September 3, 2013. The appeal is granted for the period prior to September 3, 2013.

The Board has directed the VA to schedule a new psychiatric examination and review the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder comprised of major depression and PTSD did not manifest the required occupational and social impairment for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent during the periods prior to May 16, 2008, and from May 27, 2009, to June 2, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was granted effective December 2, 1980. This decision is based on new evidence that was not previously associated with her file when she initially filed her claim in October 1980.

The Veteran's PTSD and arthritis of the bilateral hips & knees are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is the result of a stressor during active military service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to February 4, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding no current diagnosis and thus no valid claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety disorder with a history of PTSD cannot be granted as there is no evidence indicating an intent to file such a claim prior to May 8, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety and insomnia, as secondary to military sexual trauma, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to military sexual trauma.