PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The VA will need to obtain private medical records, service personnel records, and conduct a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 16, 2008 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain and left knee DJD, as well as his claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The appeal as to entitlement to service connection for a left elbow disability has been dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received; the claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to lack of a recent VA examination, as well as for additional development. The issues include PTSD, dermatitis and eczema, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and examination, including a review of VA treatment records and an opinion on whether any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, panic disorder, and depressive disorder). The low back disability is considered to be due to deconditioning including excessive tone in the lower extremities and weak abdominal muscles. Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for insomnia, but the denial of this issue remains unchanged.

The case is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and several other conditions. Additional development is required to determine whether the Veteran served on land in Vietnam, which could impact his service connection claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguity in the medical records regarding the diagnosis and etiology of PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is now pending with additional development required.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with PTSD is being remanded due to the addition of new medical evidence and the need to review outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for diastolic heart failure and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status, as well as TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess his bilateral eye disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 7, 2015. He also received a TDIU effective from the date of his claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has resulted in social and occupational impairment, but not to the extent that it would warrant a higher rating. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and need for further verification of stressors. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, will be evaluated again with new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for PTSD, satisfied with a partial grant of 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, left knee disability, and low back disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).