PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus TDIU benefits are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to December 10, 2013 and 70 percent thereafter. The effective date for the increased rating from 70 percent has been set as November 4, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His claim for a compensable rating for folliculitis of scalp with cicatrical alopecia was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to November 28, 2017 are being remanded due to the submission of additional VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The issues include left and right knee disabilities, residuals of a head injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from September 29, 2015. The Board has remanded the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prohibited him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records. The effective date for service connection remains July 15, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete or missing statements of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to address his claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a compensable rating for post-operative residuals of appendectomy and small bowel resection for Meckel’s diverticulosis, and TDIU. The issues include whether the claimed conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or if they are secondary to them.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with anxiety and right elbow disorder are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment for the entire period on appeal, warranting a 100% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including OCD and PTSD, as the Veteran's current OCD is related to a traumatic event during his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, but the appeal for an increased rating to 100 percent remains pending. The case has been remanded for further development regarding entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the remaining claims are decided, including for VA examinations of the Veteran's left shoulder and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not found to be the cause of his obesity and resultant need for special home adaptations or SMC based on aid and attendance. The Board denied both claims due to insufficient evidence linking his obesity to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in November 2009 due to the lack of a verifiable stressor. The effective date for service connection was assigned as November 10, 2014 after the Veteran submitted a formal or informal claim to reopen his previously denied PTSD service connection claim.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and left ankle disability, including a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide additional information or evidence.