PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to December 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is supported by credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The Veteran was previously denied service connection for panic disorder, but his psychiatric diagnoses include depression and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with examinations to evaluate his service-connected hepatitis C and PTSD. The TDIU claim may also be affected by these developments.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification of his PTSD symptoms and severity during the appeal period. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD did not render him unemployable prior to November 20, 2015. The Board found that the evidence does not show he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran has PTSD due to in-service stressors, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether any psychiatric disorders are related to service and whether they are caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from May 15, 2014. The right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss have also been granted service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn all claims on appeal, including the claim for service connection for mental conditions. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these appeals and they are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA medical records. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) and sleep apnea are also being addressed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating prior to September 23, 2010.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims regarding service connection for PTSD as a cause of death and determining the extent to which PTSD contributed to the Veteran's death. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, was caused by his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The earliest possible effective date assigned is December 6, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DJD of the left foot and ankle, not including the left first MTP joint, and PTSD were denied. The effective dates for these decisions are not applicable as they are final.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current symptoms to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is granted. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor, and credible supporting evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence in full remission is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from September 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine whether the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and if so, whether he is substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises.