PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted in November 2018, effective March 31, 2009. Since the grant of this benefit has already occurred, the appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and alcohol abuse are currently rated at 70 percent, but he contends that his symptoms have worsened. The Board finds a need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his psychiatric disabilities due to the lack of recent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. The remands are necessary because the May 2019 VA examination is inadequate in addressing the Veteran’s occupational and social impairment related to his service-connected PTSD, and also due to the interdependence of the TDIU claim with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU due to a need for further examination and review of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran also received a grant for TDIU.

The Board has denied an increased rating for PTSD and MDD, but granted a TDIU. The case regarding service connection for diabetes due to herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records and complete a VA Form 21-8940 (Application for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for his PTSD disability rating and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility. The RO is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, Social Security Administration records, and address any potential clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a 2001 decision.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% rating from March 8, 2016 to September 25, 2017. From June 27, 2017, the Veteran's DM was granted a 40% rating.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder (claimed as PTSD with depression) is currently rated at 30 percent prior to May 3, 2019 and 50 percent thereafter. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating of 70 percent or more is warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of PTSD, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim for prior to April 1, 2010 is denied, but a TDIU is granted starting from April 1, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability and increased rating for PTSD with depression have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressed mood is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective October 21, 2016. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the initial disability rating of PTSD with depression due to unclear attribution of symptoms. The service connection claim for tinnitus remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted at a 70 percent evaluation, effective December 5, 2013. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU remains pending.