PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, attributing it to an in-service personal assault. The evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD based on this stressor.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with PTSD is remanded, and he also has an individual unemployability claim that is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The effective date of his service connection has been granted as April 10, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for right knee DJD and anxiety disorder NOS and PTSD, finding that the current conditions are not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD prior to December 9, 2015 and for TDIU prior to December 9, 2015 have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for alcohol dependence due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence as secondary to MST.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, status post stents placement and triple coronary bypass, is rated at 100 percent since May 27, 2010. The Veteran also has a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse in remission. Therefore, the Veteran is granted an initial 100 percent rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) since May 27, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with schizoaffective disorder was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% for her PTSD with schizoaffective disorder, and the Board found that she did not file a petition to reopen her claim until December 5, 2008.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety disorder is being remanded. The issue regarding the September 1994 rating decision denying PTSD due to CUE is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's November 2013 claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is a new claim rather than a motion to reopen. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private or VA treatment records and conducting a medical opinion regarding the relationship between any diagnosed mental disorders and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify service dates and obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues of service connection are still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a seizure disorder and increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder with PTSD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected psychiatric disorders and his claimed conditions. The VA will obtain additional evidence, arrange for an examination, and consider whether 'staged rating' is appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2013 VA examination under DSM-IV. A new examination and opinion based on full review of the record and supported by stated rationale are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was previously denied TDIU prior to July 29, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. However, since July 29, 2015, the Board found that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a comprehensive examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, PTSD, and an undiagnosed illness with symptoms of fatigue due to Gulf War hazards. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD from July 30, 2010 to August 22, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective July 30, 2012. His degenerative joint disease and plantar fasciitis of the left foot are currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 1, 2017.