PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The claim for a back disability was denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased rating for a left shoulder disability, service connection for PTSD, and entitlement to TDIU. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding treatment records pertaining to these conditions and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left arm scar prior to January 20, 2014 have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to January 20, 2014 is remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 70 percent prior to August 14, 2015. A TDIU is granted for the period prior to this date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is related to military sexual trauma (MST) and granted service connection. His Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is not separately service connected but will be considered in the evaluation of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a work-like setting). The Board granted an evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of August 29, 2011. However, the Board found that the earliest date of claim should be December 28, 2007, and thus changed the effective date to this earlier date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, stating that his service-connected disabilities alone were not sufficient to cause unemployability in the period of one year before the date of claim.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his non-service connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, should be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension, secondary to PTSD, were granted effective June 17, 2011. The initial disability ratings for both conditions are 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, but remanded the issue of a respiratory disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the respiratory disability issue.

The Veteran's skin rash, diagnosed in October 2013, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.,Bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0% prior to October 24, 2015. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating remains pending and will be remanded.,PTSD symptoms include depression, anxiety, and impaired social functioning. A 30% rating is granted based on these symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and a detailed statement regarding his assault stressor. The Veteran will be asked to provide these documents.

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder, to include PTSD, needs further examination and evaluation. The case is being sent back to VA for a more complete medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 17, 2008 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that there is no basis for assigning an earlier effective date as the denial in the December 2006 final rating decision precludes such a determination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and his request for TDIU are both being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection of PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran needs to provide more information about his claimed stressors, and a VA examination is required to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to active duty service.