PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorder, anxiety, and depression. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, the minimum rating required for occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and consideration of TDIU.

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

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD has been granted, with the effective date to be determined. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service event, specifically her military sexual trauma during service. The diagnosis of PTSD and related conditions are granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD had its onset in or is otherwise related to his second period of active service, and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has expanded the issue to include an acquired psychiatric disability, as indicated by the Veteran in his original claim and in conformance with the Federal Circuit's decision in Clemmons v. West, 206 F.3d 1401, 1403 (Fed. Cir. 2000). The appeal is REMANDED to attempt to obtain additional treatment records, military records, and verify in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective January 7, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms prior to this date did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran's headaches and GERD are service-connected. However, there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder or a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and renal insufficiency, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and concluding that the renal insufficiency is not related to herbicide exposure or service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the Board denied his claims for increased ratings and effective dates.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and osteoarthritis of the hands, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives.