PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and lack of sufficient rationale in the previous VA opinions. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and non-specified anxiety disorder, is related to his service aboard the USS Essex during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and alcohol use disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for PTSD and also alleges that there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the January 1997 rating decision which granted service connection for PTSD. The Board has found these issues to be inextricably intertwined and remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran is seeking an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to November 22, 2010 and earlier effective date for TDIU prior to that date. The Board finds these issues are inextricably intertwined with the initial increased PTSD disability rating issue.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's CAD is currently rated at 30 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, are granted as they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unverified in-service stressors and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, and Secondary Alcohol Abuse have been granted an increased rating to 70 percent prior to February 17, 2016. The appeal for a higher rating or TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion from an appropriate examiner that addresses whether any current diagnoses are related to service and if so, what type of service connection is applicable.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to symptoms such as irritable behavior and anger outbursts, which do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is granted as related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including depression and PTSD. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, and a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol abuse are rated at 70 percent, effective September 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The Veteran's claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral ankle condition, sleep disorder, and PTSD for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, asbestosis, and COPD have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred in service or is related to his military service. The issue of alcohol dependency as secondary to a psychiatric disability remains in dispute.