PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private treatment records. A VA examination is also required to determine whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to alleged in-service assaults.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent effective December 28, 2007 for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling prior to December 7, 2013. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from his treatment providers at the Boston Veterans Outreach Center and Dr. Naomi Lamb.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the Veteran's current psychiatric disability and determine its etiology, including considering his long history of alcoholism.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,For the period prior to April 13, 2015 and since October 4, 2016, his cervical neck strain with DJD did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent. From April 13, 2015 to October 3, 2016, it did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, based on his combat experience and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The issue of depression remains pending as it is unclear whether the symptoms are related to PTSD or a separate condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The appeal was granted to reopen the claim based on new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher rating, and service connection for hypertension is also granted as secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent evaluation since July 5, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a travel board hearing. The issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, PTSD, and kidney stones. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 26, 2015. As the Veteran has been granted a 100% rating for PTSD and it is the only service-connected disability, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot.

The Board found that the Veteran's mental disorder, including PTSD, is related to his service and granted his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if his current psychiatric disability, including depression, is related to military service or caused by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent effective March 5, 2012. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was granted. The appeal regarding the rating for ischemic heart disease is denied. The Veteran's TDIU prior to March 11, 2013, remains granted.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% evaluation. The effective date for service connection of the left knee disability is denied.