PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and TBI was denied in April 2013, but granted with an effective date of April 23, 2010 (the day after his separation from active duty). The Board found that the earliest effective date available is the day after separation due to the Veteran filing within a year of his separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and unverified in-service stressors. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records, verify his reported stressors, and obtain a VA psychiatric opinion.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal regarding the reduction of the evaluation for several mental health conditions, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since October 1, 2010. The Board has granted a 100% rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for neutropenia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including GAD, PTSD, depression), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis have been reopened. The new evidence supports the claim that his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 28, 2013.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the AOJ not having issued a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) with the additional evidence received since the September 2014 SOC.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety are rated at a 100 percent disability rating since July 21, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including her PTSD and anxiety/depression disorders. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination regarding his back disability, as well as claims related to sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, anxiety, tinnitus, and a higher rating for migraine headaches. A statement of the case must be issued for these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with initial evaluations of 50%, 70%, and 50% for different periods, and a TDIU is granted. The increased evaluation for PTSD is denied as of November 12, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period from August 19, 2009 to April 4, 2013 due to his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and a vocational opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is now pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current diagnoses and their etiology, including a need for an updated VA examination in accordance with the DSM-5.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to June 11, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his social and occupational impairment.,For the prostate cancer residuals, an additional VA examination is needed as there are outstanding records from May 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to outstanding treatment records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and a need for further examination to determine if he has any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces was denied, but her claim for a back brace was granted due to wear and tear on her clothes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but has found that the Veteran currently suffers from a specific phobia. The decision is mixed as it grants part of the claim (specific phobia) and denies the other part (PTSD).