PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder was evaluated at a 50 percent disability rating for the period from January 30, 2017 to April 10, 2017. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his left lower extremity disabilities, as well as his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to obtain SSA records, VA treatment records, and private psychiatric treatment records. A VA examination is also required to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine whether any current psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the January 2003 or June 2005 rating decisions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from March 8, 2016. The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of his PTSD symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of service connection for back and hip disabilities, as well as TDIU claims. The AOJ is instructed to provide a VA Form 21-8940 to the Veteran and obtain an opinion regarding her functional impairment from service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is now rated at 70 percent effective July 24, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and addressing the petition to reopen a claim for service connection for substance abuse.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a 70% evaluation for the entire period on appeal, effective October 30, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from August 2, 2007, to July 25, 2010. The Board found that his symptoms were more consistent with a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, PTSD, and bilateral eye disorders. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's low back condition is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted SMC at the rate specified by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, which required regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, including a June 2014 private examination and treatment record that indicated the Veteran had a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying a motor vehicle accident stressor during active duty service in Germany and for a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure during service. The issue of TDIU based on PTSD is dismissed as moot because the Veteran now has a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent to his disability compensation award effective April 1, 2019. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran was denied TDIU as his service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5 and there was no evidence linking his claimed stressor to service or any other service-connected disability. For prostate cancer and multiple myeloma, the VA examiner concluded that herbicide exposure could not be linked to these conditions due to lack of credible evidence supporting such exposure.