PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's stepdaughter Y. is denied as she did not become permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday.

The Veteran's PTSD and co-morbid depression and anxiety have been rated at 50% prior to September 19, 2016, and 70% thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran’s impairment from her PTSD more nearly approximated a 70% rating due to deficiencies in most areas including work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, left arm disability, bilateral ankle condition, and PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran is also requested to provide authorization for release of all identified private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD, rated at 70 percent since October 23, 2009, renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder, are related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating of PTSD due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in February 2006 and July 2010. The Board found no evidence of an informal or formal claim filed after the July 2010 denial and prior to April 26, 2012. Therefore, the effective date for the grant of service connection is April 26, 2012.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for service connection of PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, chloracne, and secondary conditions. The appeals are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and unclear medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, lung disability, hernia disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to his failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is given another opportunity to provide evidence and attend the examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his current diagnosis is due to in-service personal assaults and that there is a link between these stressors and his symptoms.

The Board denied the request to restore a 100% rating for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's condition had improved and was more consistent with a 70% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70%, and the Board has limited its consideration accordingly. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a right elbow condition and PTSD, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diplopia, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his active duty service in Afghanistan. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to a lack of diagnosed PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorder besides major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection of right knee condition, left knee condition, low back condition, costochondritis, and PTSD. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU prior to February 19, 2016. The Board finds that his combined disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, CFS, and COPD. It granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from June 30, 2015, but denied a higher initial rating or TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. However, it was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor and the Veteran does not currently suffer from a current psychiatric disability that can be linked to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to additional development being necessary.