PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is granted an initial rating of 50 percent prior to March 1, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to military service. The Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records will be reviewed for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration of new evidence, including compensation and pension examination findings, Social Security Administration records, and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim is reopened based on new evidence received since the May 2008 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Disorder is rated at a 70 percent evaluation prior to July 17, 2015. The Board denied an effective date prior to this date for the higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, esophageal ulcers, right hip condition, soft tissue sarcoma, PTSD and ischemic heart disease have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as it was granted in a June 2019 rating decision with a 30% rating effective October 30, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU from September 6, 2011 to November 20, 2017 was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 6, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and opioid use disorder. The evidence did not support the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors or establish a causal relationship between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was dismissed because the appeal is moot due to their death.

The appeal is dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1311(a)(2) as his total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) was effective from May 25, 2005, which is less than eight years prior to his death in November 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for an examination, but did not change the current rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD evaluation was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent effective November 1, 2017. The propriety of this reduction is being remanded for further review. Additionally, the claim for higher ratings for PTSD prior to and since November 1, 2017, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance was granted from September 19, 2013 to September 29, 2018. The claim for a compensable rating for tinea versicolor prior to April 29, 2019 is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating and TDIU prior to February 20, 2018 was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as it has worsened. His TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability from the rating issue.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the February 2018 remand directives and therefore requires another remand for several reasons, including obtaining treatment records from April 2014 hospitalization at VA Medical Center and private treatment records from Laurel Ridge Treatment Center. A new VA examination is also required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse.

The appeal for service connection of PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.