PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective October 11, 1984. The Board found that the earliest possible date of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is the original date of claim, which is October 11, 1984.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for kidney stones and PTSD with insomnia, as well as service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and left hip disability were granted effective September 26, 2017.,An earlier effective date is denied for the grants of service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The remaining claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, seizure disability, blood clots in left hand and leg, left knee disability, sterility, and dental disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of PTSD, so the issue is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of active duty service and need for further clarification on specific dates of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Appellant is also required to provide information about in-service incidents leading to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability level prior to December 15, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to December 2, 2016 were productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent is granted. Further evidentiary development is required before addressing whether a greater than 70 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's TDIU application is remanded due to the need for updated employment information and a comprehensive examination assessing the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work as a carpenter.

The Veteran's hearing request for a special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance was withdrawn due to his no-show. The Board finds the September 2015 examination insufficient, as it did not provide adequate rationale or complete responses to all questions. Therefore, the case is remanded for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the new evidence did not provide a clinical diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the following: obtaining all VA treatment records since 2006, issuing a Statement of the Case regarding TDIU, and readjudicating the issues.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 70 percent prior to July 28, 2016. The issue of TDIU for the earlier period remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA's duty to assist was not fulfilled in obtaining employment information from the Veteran's former employer, and thus remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for TBI with PTSD and a separate rating for PTSD due to inextricably intertwined issues. A VA psychiatrist or psychologist is needed to provide an etiological opinion regarding any distinct PTSD disability diagnosed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint and muscle pain (also claimed as fibromyalgia) was also reopened and granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, is denied. The earliest possible effective date considered in this appeal is February 8, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance (SMC) is being remanded due to insufficient examination regarding his PTSD and medications.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) addressing the Veteran's PTSD claim and adjudicating his TDIU issue.