PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the case is now closed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded to obtain additional information about his in-service stressors and to provide a new opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and OCD due to MST is rated at 70 percent from November 22, 2011. She also received a TDIU effective from November 22, 2011, and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) from November 19, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a respiratory disorder, left knee disorders, right knee disorders, and bilateral tinnitus were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for his PTSD from February 28, 2010 to the present.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an effective date prior to October 27, 2010 for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The claims for a higher rating for PTSD and individual unemployability due to service-connected disability are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia, specifically Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The case will be returned for further examination and research.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 26, 2012 for service connection were denied.,The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings and increased ratings for various disabilities were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC for aid and attendance and/or housebound benefits, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance from another person.

The appeals for increased disability ratings and effective dates related to PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, TDIU, and DEA under Chapter 35. The Veteran is to be provided a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed mental health conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, was granted. The claim for service connection for the low back disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The claim for service connection for the acquired psychiatric condition remains pending as new evidence has been submitted.

The Board has ordered the remand of two issues: assessing the severity of the Veteran's duodenal ulcer and PTSD. The VA will obtain updated treatment records, schedule examinations for both conditions, and contact the Veteran to provide any additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 27, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating and denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, as PTSD does not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and pancreatitis were reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection was granted for depression and anxiety disorders but denied for PTSD.,Service connection for pancreatitis was also granted as it is related to alcohol abuse associated with service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for CAD was dismissed due to his withdrawal at the July 2015 hearing.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was denied as there is no credible evidence that the current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher disability rating for PTSD and TDIU due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for initial ratings and service connection for various conditions. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.