PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and patellofemoral chondromalacia) have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 5, 2013. The Board has granted a Total Disability Rating for Compensation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective from the filing of his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depressive disorder, need further evaluation by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer is granted service connection as it manifested within one year of his separation from active duty. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, remains denied due to insufficient evidence meeting the diagnostic standards set by the DSM-IV or DSM-V.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disease is rated at 100 percent effective February 12, 2017 and for three months thereafter. SMC housebound benefits are granted from February 12, 2017 to May 31, 2017.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the April 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's depression is being evaluated again, and an opinion on whether his personality disorder was aggravated by his depression will also be provided.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there were no new official service department records submitted after the August 2007 denial, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient information to identify such records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been remanded due to the need to determine the appropriate ratings for the period from April 30, 2009 to December 8, 2011. The RO must review the file and determine the correct ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD was not shown to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The evidence fails to establish that the Veteran was precluded from engaging in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for readjudication following a recent VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The claims are granted to this extent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU due to outstanding development requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of November 29, 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted service connection because it is caused by his chronic pain from his service-connected disabilities. A 10 percent rating for the low back scar is also granted.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left wrist conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while his claim for an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was received by VA on September 18, 2013. The Board denied an effective date prior to this date as there was no indication of appeal from previous denials.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and investigation due to concerns about the accuracy of previous examinations, the Veteran's testimony regarding his PTSD symptoms, and the lack of documentation regarding the discontinuance of VR&E Services.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his initial active duty training (ACDUTRA) military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD caused significant social and occupational impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent prior to January 28, 2012.