PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

Your claim for PTSD, persistent depression, and alcohol use disorder has been fully granted. There is no remaining case or controversy as the issue was resolved in your favor.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD, left knee disability, and right knee disability was dismissed. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his gunshot wound to the left forearm was denied. His service connection for bilateral hearing loss and posttraumatic stress disorder were granted, but he is still awaiting new VA examinations for these conditions. The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service. The Veteran's PTSD is remanded and an additional VA examination is required.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence provided by the Veteran, including VA treatment records and an examination confirming a diagnosis of PTSD. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to November 17, 2016, and in excess of 70 percent from November 17, 2016, for PTSD; entitlement to an effective date earlier than September 30, 2009, for an award of service connection for PTSD, including based upon Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE) in an August 2000 rating decision; and entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 17, 2016.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings for left ankle strain, traumatic brain injury residuals, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70% since July 14, 2015. The Board has ordered a remand to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD and MDD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and remanded it due to need for additional development. The hearing loss claim is also remanded, but PTSD remains unresolved as there was no verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted a rating no greater than 50 percent. The remaining issues related to scleroderma with Raynaud’s phenomenon are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, and PTSD due to missing STRs and inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating. An earlier effective date of June 20, 2013 for the 70 percent rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service, including military sexual trauma.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the claim for service connection of a brain hemorrhage as secondary to PTSD, and the issue regarding an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on the need for additional medical opinions due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent rating prior to February 10, 2015. A 70 percent rating is granted from February 10, 2015 onwards.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.