PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case to determine if an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his verified in-service stressor and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD.

The Board has granted a 70% rating for PTSD effective October 2, 2013. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms cause significant social and occupational impairment, warranting an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 5, 2011 for the grant of service connection and a 60 percent evaluation for ischemic heart disease (IHD). The Veteran also received a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 11, 2011. Additionally, the Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the statutory housebound rate.,The effective dates for TDIU and SMC were set based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

Entitlement to an initial disability rating for service-connected headaches higher than 30 percent prior to April 24, 2019 is denied.,Entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) based solely on service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his active duty service, specifically the experience of encountering fires aboard the USS Dixon. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining SSA records and a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's PTSD in February 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no higher rating is warranted.,For his right femur fracture with trochanteric bursitis, residuals of a left fibula fracture, and TDIU claims, additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of May 16, 2006. The Board has granted an effective date for the TDIU and DEA benefits but not for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent for the entire appeal period, due to severe anxiety and depression, hypervigilance, feelings of being watched, a loss in interest, confusion, and physical manifestations such as grinding his teeth.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to a lack of recent VA examination, as well as outstanding SSA records. The Veteran will need to undergo a new VA examination for his PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders present during the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, and his TDIU claim is also being remanded due to issues with evidence submission.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depression due to lack of evidence at the time of the August 1998 rating decision, despite some diagnoses in earlier VA examinations. The Veteran's claims were reopened based on new evidence received after that decision.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for increased evaluations of various conditions, including right and left knee disabilities, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back strain, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Board dismissed these appeals.