PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD is denied as the earliest possible effective date, March 20, 2013, has been assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the claim was a new claim rather than a notice of disagreement with the initial rating assigned to sleep apnea. The first evidence showing entitlement to TDIU was received after the May 2012 claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as TDIU. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis conforming to DSM-5 criteria or a link between his symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder due to additional records being added to the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal of his PTSD rating is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding the evidence supports that the injury occurred during service and has continued to worsen over time.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression resulted in occupational and social impairment, meeting the criteria for a 70 percent rating since May 25, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating from November 13, 2013 to August 3, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective May 13, 2014. All other service connection claims have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's death prevented a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes as his unemployment was due to non-service-connected conditions, not his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and an updated VA psychiatric examination is needed. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, must be reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the relationship between his current psychiatric conditions and service. The Veteran will need to provide further details about his in-service events, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD is denied because the increase in disability sufficient to warrant such rating did not occur prior to April 1, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to his in-service stressors, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD and his TDIU benefits are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether PTSD aggravated hypertension and/or contributed to renal disease, which are listed as contributing causes of death on the Veteran's death certificate.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for prostate cancer was withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for DM were denied prior to November 17, 2010 and from June 12, 2018. A rating of 40 percent for DM was granted from April 8, 2016 to June 11, 2018.,The Veteran's appeals for ratings of PN were granted at 40 percent for both lower extremities.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including verifying an alleged helicopter crash incident and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability level, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.