PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and for TDIU due to the possibility that the current severity of his PTSD could significantly impact these decisions. The Veteran is required to be examined by VA to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. This rating reflects significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities, including seeking an effective date earlier than October 5, 2015, for PTSD and addressing whether Major Depression was severed in the October 2015 rating decision. The issues also include seeking increased initial evaluations for PTSD with depression.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD as a result of service and whether any other acquired psychiatric disability is causally related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis for PTSD and denied the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective March 2, 2011. The decision is based on the receipt of service department records that confirmed a reported in-service stressor.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability from December 23, 2009 to November 7, 2017.,Since November 8, 2017, the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has not manifested in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, PTSD, and CAD due to insufficient evidence or further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and unverified in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is on hold until all necessary documentation is obtained.

The appeals for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, PTSD, retained shrapnel fragments within soft tissue of the mid-upper right arm and residuals of right humerus fracture, and shrapnel wounds of the right hip and right upper leg have been dismissed.,An effective date of December 4, 2011, but no earlier, for a 70 percent rating for PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and depressive disorder with insomnia, as well as post-traumatic migraines, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 100 percent since April 11, 2016.,The Veteran's bilateral varicose veins of the lower extremity are currently rated at 40 percent since September 18, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had PTSD related to his service, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including depressive disorder, personality disorder, and PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen service connection claims, as well as the claim of entitlement to cause of death. The appellant must clarify her intention regarding substitution or accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's alcohol use disorder, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD and panic disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD related to a personal assault during her active duty for training (ADT) in July 1984 is granted. The Board also found sufficient evidence of other acquired psychiatric disorders, but these are not separately service connected.

The Veteran's discharge was due to misconduct and he did not serve a full term, thus his Under Honorable Conditions (general) discharge is not a bar to VA benefits. He has also been denied service connection for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, right eye enucleation, and other conditions, are found to preclude substantially gainful employment prior to March 2, 2016.