PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from January 1, 2008 through May 4, 2010.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for clarification on whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to active service or pre-service personality disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing VCAA notice regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and scheduling a VA psychiatric evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 26, 2007. The Board granted a 100 percent rating from March 1, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for Still's disease, arthritis, and PTSD. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain and PTSD were denied by the RO. The Board remanded these matters to allow further development, but ultimately found that the denial was appropriate.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and substance abuse, do not meet the criteria for service connection due to inconsistencies in his statements about in-service events and lack of a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for obstructive sleep apnea or a lumbar spine disability, and denied these claims. Service connection was granted for PTSD with an initial 30 percent rating effective March 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 14, 2017.,For his posttraumatic headaches, the Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides during service, and the Veteran's prostate cancer was not diagnosed or treated in service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50% from June 26, 2008 to May 20, 2014. The effective date for the TDIU rating has been set at June 26, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with an initial compensable rating for the right hand condition and a 30 percent rating for PTSD prior to February 24, 2014. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was incurred in service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 10, 2014. The effective date for this rating is not specified as the claim was received within one year of the increase in disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before the RO. The claims of service connection and TDIU will be considered further.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered before deciding the Veteran's claims. This includes obtaining private treatment records from specific providers and considering whether staged ratings are appropriate.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, is related to his active service in Korea. As a result, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.