PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is rated at 70 percent prior to December 3, 2013, and denied for a higher rating. The appeal is not about service connection but rather the level of disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or objective indications of qualifying chronic disabilities due to environmental exposures in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence indicating that his acquired psychiatric disorder or PTSD is related to his service. The new medical evidence of record does not show a link between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his service.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating since November 14, 2017. The current disability rating of 50% is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a low back disability secondary to service-connected knee disabilities and increased ratings for PFS and DJD of the right and left knees. The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated with new examinations.

The Veteran's PFB was rated noncompensable, as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,PTSD was granted at a 70% rating prior to March 15, 2016, based on occupational and social impairment. After this date, PTSD was denied due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 15, 2013, for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for ischemic heart disease and epilepsy.

The Board denied the claim of accrued benefits as new and material evidence was not received, even though the appellant filed her claim within one year of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for service-connected PTSD, TDIU, and DEA benefits is denied. The effective dates are set at May 7, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that his current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional service records and a retrospective medical opinion. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted an increased rating to 70 percent.,The Veteran is granted entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of TBI and PTSD have been granted. The rating for PTSD has also been increased to 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip condition, finding no evidence of in-service injury or relationship to service. Service connection was granted for PTSD.,PTSD was found to be related to the Veteran's military experiences and fear of hostile activity during service.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the last final denial supports a diagnosis of PTSD and grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran's anxiety and depression are also granted as secondary to his diagnosed PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 50 percent. The skin disorder issue is remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for TBI and an earlier effective date for PTSD were denied due to untimely notice of disagreement, failure to report for a VA examination, and lack of entitlement prior to the filing of claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric condition and its relation to service. The claim will be reviewed with additional medical evidence.