PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to obtain additional information from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's service and obtaining relevant VA treatment records. The Veteran will be provided a VA psychiatric examination to address the causation and etiology of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, neurological, musculoskeletal, and orthopedic conditions are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a verified stressor and the current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for PTSD. The claim for left knee disability was remanded by the Board.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DDD and DJD of the cervical spine, as there is no evidence linking his current disability to his period of active duty. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from May 1, 2015 through March 10, 2016, based on symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective from October 16, 2013. Prior to this date, his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his depression did not start during or as a result of service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition and thus cannot establish service connection. The claim for service connection for asbestosis is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest schedular evaluation (100%) since May 7, 1982.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, and he is currently employed without unemployability due to his service-connected disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability, as well as whether his alcohol abuse is secondary to or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that he became unemployable more than one year prior to the date his claim was received in January 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, scars, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable due to his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his hypertension, which substantially contributed to his death. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's spine disability is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The evidence does not support an increased rating due to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.,Service connection has been denied for MDD with PTSD symptoms as there is no current diagnosis and the Veteran's symptoms are attributed to post-service factors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his attempts to reopen claims for sleeping disorder and hypothyroidism. The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.