PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at a 100 percent rating prior to June 5, 2017, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is found to be related to his active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected depressive disorder due to new evidence and testimony indicating worsening symptoms. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess his current severity and manifestations of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied because the earliest application was in March 2014, and retroactive benefits cannot be granted before March 11, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the Veteran's reported in-service stressor could not be verified and was inconsistent with other evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other conditions, makes him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to March 6, 2015 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that a higher rating than 50 percent was not warranted.

The Board has found that there is new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD. However, due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s psychiatric disability, a remand is required to obtain a more complete medical opinion based on accurate facts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are etiologically related to service. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and his current psychiatric diagnoses.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left shoulder fracture, right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board granted service connection for fibromyalgia and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, primarily PTSD, is rated at 70 percent and not entitled to a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, needs further examination and opinion due to conflicting diagnoses in the medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected PTSD and residuals of a stem injury of the left eye, and thus remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits is being remanded for a detailed accounting and referral to the Committee on Waivers and Compromises. The issue of entitlement to a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of $1,581.37 is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence, as well as right ear tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the final denial raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's left knee brace is not service-connected, and he does not use it to treat any of his other service-connected disabilities. The Board finds no eligibility for a clothing allowance due to the left knee brace.,The Veteran uses a manual wheelchair primarily due to severe effects from multiple service-connected conditions including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and neuropathies. The VAMC's decision was incorrect in concluding that the use of the wheelchair is not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted with an effective date of November 7, 1996. The decision is based on the direct service connection of PTSD and not due to any presumption or new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for special monthly compensation based upon the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor. The VA needs to verify the reported stressor with the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date issues related to his PTSD. The case will be returned for further action.