PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including a review of pre-service mental health conditions and stressor verification.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of November 8, 2002. The new VA treatment records received within one year of the February 2003 rating decision denying his claim were considered relevant to the Veteran’s initial claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran was exposed to traumatic events during service and claims these caused his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a TDIU and an increased rating for PTSD due to their inextricability. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is linked to his TDIU claim, so both need to be addressed together.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining investigation reports related to her military sexual trauma (MST) allegations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records as her condition has worsened since the last evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to December 18, 2018. For the entire rating period on appeal, a higher rating of 70 percent was granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in symptoms that cause no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran’s PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition(s).

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, but the issues of increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding functional loss.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are currently rated at 30 percent from May 17, 2012 and 70 percent from July 5, 2018. The Board has found that the Veteran’s new lay testimony suggests a worsening of his condition since his last VA medical examination, necessitating further evaluation. Additionally, the TDIU claim is remanded due to unclear employment history.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, a claimed rectum injury, and psychological disorder including PTSD as the evidence does not support current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The Veteran also sought a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which was granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted this rating. The case is being remanded for a new examination to assess whether his condition warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, as he does not have loss of use of a lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 70 percent since March 14, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employment capacity. The Veteran is seeking a TDIU, and an additional VA examination is needed to assess this.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the validity of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, PTSD, and depression. The claim will be remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is related to his active duty service.