PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder and entitlement to service connection for hepatitis.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for all issues except the entitlement to an extended period of a temporary total rating for convalescence status-post total right knee replacement, which has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety disorder with PTSD features, depression, and ADHD, finding that these conditions are due to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 8, 2007, for the award of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 6, 2010, for the award of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted.

The Veteran's notice of disagreement with the August 2008 rating decision was timely filed, and the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptomatology meets the criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent, effective October 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since January 26, 2001. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from July 17, 2000 and also granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 1, 1968 for the award of service connection for PTSD and a 100 percent disability rating for his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification regarding his reported stressors and history of assault. The Board will seek further information on these matters before making a determination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, severe lumbosacral spondylosis, and migraine headaches have rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance prior to October 29, 2010. The Board finds that she meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder, was not shown to be related to service. His diverticulitis was also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis have been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis of the hands and feet, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to September 7, 2004, and at 70 percent thereafter. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing and the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on several service connection claims.

The case is being remanded for additional development to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and his other diagnoses, as well as to assess his employability due to his psychiatric symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the lack of recent medical records and the assertion that his PTSD symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination in August 2012. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The evidence does not more nearly reflect occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to the severity, frequency, and duration of psychiatric symptoms prior to October 2, 2015. From October 2, 2015, the evidence does not more nearly reflect occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his claimed stressors.