PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder have been granted. The Board found the evidence to be at least in equipoise that both conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 70 percent effective August 21, 2007. The VA has granted an earlier effective date for TDIU beginning on the same day.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU effective March 17, 2013, and dismisses the remaining claims.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The VA has remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his diabetes and diabetic nephropathy.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the evidence did not support that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including depression. The claim of service connection for PTSD remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disability, back disorder, and increased ratings for PTSD, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The effective dates for benefits were also determined to be incorrect or not applicable.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to February 3, 2017 caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from July 28, 2010 to July 31, 2012. A rating of 50 percent was granted for this period.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate examination and treatment records. The Veteran's ocular migraines are not rated higher than 30 percent, while her PTSD is being evaluated with a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability, heart disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD and depression), and alcoholism due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to verify the claimed stressor.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the entire period of appeal has been granted. The RO also denied service connection and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, but did not issue a statement of the case on these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable disability rating for corneal scars, left eye due to new evidence presented during her hearing. The claims will be further developed to address the in-service personal assault and its impact on her mental health.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30%, and the Board has ordered a remand to assess whether a higher rating is warranted based on additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol dependence, both related to his service, contributed substantially or materially to cause the liver failure and cirrhosis that led to his death. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU. The appeals for the other conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, and a psychiatric disability including PTSD. The rating for total right knee replacement is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his service. The VA needs to conduct a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has any current diagnoses and their etiology.