PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's right hand injury and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination, as well as a formal TDIU application.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD aggravates his OSA. Additional evidence and a new examination are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and panic disorder, along with other disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 11, 2013. Effective May 22, 2012, the combined disability rating was sufficient for a TDIU. Effective August 23, 2018, his other service-connected disabilities are also rated at 60 percent or more.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to credible supporting evidence of his in-service stressor and the Veteran's confirmed involvement in a naval operation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940 and a VA examination to assess his functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to August 7, 2017, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD is dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in March 2004. The appeal to reopen the claim and grant service connection was filed on July 12, 2013, with an effective date of that day.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining authorization for treatment records and completing VA forms. The issues of increased PTSD ratings and TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with depressive disorder was denied as the earliest application to reopen his claim was received on November 1, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not more closely approximate the level of impairment required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective January 8, 2003, but no earlier. The Board found that the Veteran became unemployable due to service-connected disabilities on January 8, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depression, pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 7, 2016 for a 70 percent rating for schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder with PTSD, TDIU, and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted with an effective date of June 15, 2011. The decision is based on the evidence showing that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD.

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

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50% since June 21, 2010. The Board has granted a higher rating of 50% for the entire period prior to April 30, 2019 and denied any request for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors and a need for an opinion on the etiological relationship between any current psychiatric disability and his active service.