PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to conflicting VA examination reports, lack of recent treatment records, and potential need for extra-schedular consideration. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination for his service-connected gunshot wound and PTSD.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD is granted. The effective date for service connection of PTSD is set at September 23, 2013. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection, and his PTSD is granted a 50% rating effective from April 27, 2005. The TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The initial 30% PTSD rating prior to July 30, 2014 and the subsequent increased ratings have also been denied. The case is remanded due to issues with service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied because his service-connected PTSD alone does not necessitate such benefits, as his need for assistance stems from his non-service connected dementia resulting from a motorcycle accident in 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under the Rating Schedule. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent throughout the claims period, and he is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and a need for an updated VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is also awarded TDIU. The Board has found that the Veteran’s PTSD warrants a rating above 70 percent but has been unable to schedule a new VA examination due to his testimony of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further evaluation and to obtain VA treatment records. The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and psychosis, is rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD. The Board granted a TDIU for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective September 2, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms were consistent with occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since the date of his original claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of any psychiatric condition during the appeal period.

The appeal for a disability rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD with depression and alcoholism in full remission is dismissed. The appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, is now considered service-connected due to the submission of new evidence that supports a link between her in-service sexual assault and her current mental health conditions.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary due to the need for updated treatment records and a PTSD examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is related to his service and/or due to or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis. The decision grants this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the evidence and need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence, as all submitted evidence was cumulative of previous records.