PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the claim for separate evaluations of TBI, PTSD, and dementia due to a lack of differentiation in symptoms attributable to each condition. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and bladder disability due to their worsening since the last examinations. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, prostate cancer, throat cancer, asthma, right knee disability, left knee disability, and left knee scar have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection for prostate cancer is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied. The appeal for revision of the combined rating for service-connected disabilities effective November 30, 2014 was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his PTSD and differentiate it from TBI residuals, as well as provide proper notice regarding how to substantiate his increased rating claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. Further development is needed, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying a claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, with a grant of a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 10, 2017 and a continued 70 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, hearing loss, and diabetes. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for review of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressor, which is necessary to establish service connection for PTSD and anxiety.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The appeal for higher ratings prior to August 20, 2015 and effective from that date were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the need for additional development regarding a claimed in-service personal assault stressor. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is now pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to July 23, 2015. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding employment status and its impact on his disability evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosis meeting VA criteria for PTSD and insufficient medical evidence to link the current anxiety disorder to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have continued to worsen, and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to evidence showing a link between his in-service stressors and current symptoms, despite some initial disagreement with the VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of claim. The other claims have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors reported by the Veteran, and for further development.