PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for PTSD and has remanded his claim of service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD prior to July 20, 2016 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. After July 20, 2016, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent and remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for PTSD due to insufficient development and lack of adequate assistance in obtaining relevant records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, as it is related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The NAS study from November 2018 upgraded the classification of an association between Agent Orange and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence showing he was unable to secure or maintain employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hand peripheral neuropathy has been dismissed.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, with a total disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 from November 3, 2010 to December 31, 2010; March 20, 2012 to May 31, 2012; and May 24, 2013 to June 30, 2013. The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is denied.,PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to September 3, 2014, with the right foot peripheral neuropathy rated at 10 percent and left foot peripheral neuropathy rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are now rated at 20 percent after September 3, 2014.,The Veteran's TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since October 25, 2012, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

Your service connection claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression or anxiety disorder, have been granted. The rating assigned is 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional development is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, shoulder conditions, and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of evidence related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety but remanded the case for further development regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to his service-connected conditions contributing substantially or materially to his death. DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at December 18, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran had expressed a desire to file a claim for PTSD on December 18, 2015 and that entitlement arose as early as this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current work environment may exacerbate his PTSD symptoms and make it unsuitable for him to continue in his current occupation. The Veteran also underwent a new VA examination which noted changes in his PTSD symptomatology, including increased irritability and anger outbursts. Therefore, the case is being remanded to allow for a vocational rehabilitation assessment that considers all of the evidence of record.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent effective October 18, 2013. The issue of service connection for cervical neck strain has been reopened and granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran needs a new VA examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine if his current psychiatric conditions are related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected PTSD, head and neck cancer, cirrhosis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperthyroidism, and depression. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, alcohol abuse, and depression, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to verify stressors and determine if they are related to his service.