PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since May 28, 2008. The Board finds that the symptoms of his service-connected PTSD more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, or mood.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, higher initial rating for PTSD and lumbosacral spine disability, as well as his claims for left knee and right knee disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of multiple disabilities was denied, and the appellant did not establish eligibility to accrued benefits due to lack of evidence of expenses related to last sickness or burial.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further adjudication due to the need to address a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior rating decision denying service connection for PTSD, as well as other issues related to his PTSD disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and left ankle injury do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated at 30 percent prior to June 29, 2017 and at 70 percent since then. The Board denied both requests for increased evaluations.

The Veteran's residuals of a left hand fourth finger fracture are found to be secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability. The issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the June 1998 rating decision that denied PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms resulting in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and determine if he has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that is related to his active duty service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification on the side effects of the Veteran's PTSD medication and to ensure that all relevant records are considered in determining his eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, effectively dismissing the claim for higher initial ratings for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxious mood.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and low back strain alone do not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that no prior claims were filed and assigning the earliest possible effective date based on the date of receipt of the June 29, 2011 claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently meets (or did at any time during the pendency of this appeal) the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or other psychiatric disorder, and whether it is at least as likely as not that any diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to military service. The Veteran's in-service stressor must also be verified.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a rating of 70 percent is warranted due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to August 20, 2015 and in excess of 30 percent from August 20, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to an in-service stressor, which is supported by credible evidence. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature and etiology of any current diagnosed psychiatric disorders, with a focus on whether they are related to his active duty service or specifically to his service-connected asthma.