PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran has a separate upper back condition related to service, as well as whether he has diabetes mellitus type II or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) that is related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to February 11, 2010. After February 11, 2010, the Veteran experienced deficiencies in most areas due to psychiatric symptomatology including suicidal ideation.

The application to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to assess his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including MDD and PTSD, hypertension, microscopic hematuria, and actinic keratosis are all granted as service connected. However, the issues of microscopic hematuria and actinic keratosis secondary to herbicide exposure remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent, effective May 4, 2010. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

Service connection is granted for a cervical strain disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety, and mood disorder).,The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The attorney is entitled to fees based on past due benefits awarded in September 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety. The VA is instructed to obtain all outstanding records and schedule the Veteran for a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 50% to 30%, effective March 1, 2014. The reduction was proper as the evidence showed a sustained improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with dysthymic disorder and borderline personality disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to her symptoms not meeting the severity of impairment required for a 100% rating. The issue of TDIU was also denied as there is no evidence showing she cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of October 7, 2011, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Depression. The Board found that no claim was received prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional evidence. The examiner will determine if the Veteran meets DSM-5 criteria for PTSD, its relationship to military service or Crohn's disease, and whether it was caused by or aggravated by Crohn's disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD, and his claim to reopen the residuals of CVAs have all been denied. The TDIU claim has been remanded.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as it was incurred during active duty. The right great toe disorder and tinnitus claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, requires further examination as there is insufficient evidence to make a decision on the claim. The Veteran must provide independent corroborating evidence of his claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for the VA to obtain outstanding treatment records and attempt to obtain Vet Center records.