PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's alleged stressors and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS with depressive features and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted, and the effective date is set at February 18, 2011. The claim for PTSD was also granted but with an effective date of February 18, 2011, which is considered a mixed decision as it relates to both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and verifying his reported stressors. A VA psychiatric examination will also be scheduled to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the PTSD rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds it at least as likely as not that her service-connected PTSD has prevented her from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which her education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify her.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA PTSD examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure a complete record and proper consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA Form 21-8940, as well as any outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran will also be provided an opportunity to submit lay statements from himself and others who can attest to the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are best described by the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits under Chapter 31 of the United States Code is denied because he does not meet the requirement of having an 'employment handicap' due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 15, 2009. The effective date for this rating is June 15, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports that his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to in-service stressors during combat service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left elbow strain was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board found that the Veteran has PTSD linked to an in-service personal assault and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is service-connected due to exposure to traumatic events during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for VA examinations and additional development of records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to outstanding VA medical records, and the Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, with no further rating adjustments considered.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding whether a timely substantive appeal was received to a February 2012 rating decision denying service connection for urticarial rash (claimed as illness due to vaccine). The remaining issues of reopening claims and establishing service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective April 29, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period.