PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms worsened as of October 21, 2012, and the Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2012 for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including whether PTSD had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service. The Veteran's in-service stressors need to be verified.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for further examination. The effective date for service connection remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for essential tremor, claimed as Parkinson's disease, is granted. The appeals for peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, PTSD, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, effective March 17, 2011. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to June 14, 2017 and 70 percent thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, COPD, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver cirrhosis as a result of hepatitis C is granted. The claims for right foot disability, hypertension secondary to liver cirrhosis, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression disorder has been granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of the grant of service connection (December 2, 2010). The issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability is moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a spine disability, PTSD, and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities materially contributed to his subdural hematoma. The claim of DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his service. The examiner is asked to consider whether the reported stressor during basic training caused PTSD and to provide a rationale for any opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective March 5, 2019. The Veteran has also been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for plantar fasciitis, PTSD, and allergic rhinitis, as well as a TDIU claim. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity that they preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at a 70 percent disability rating from July 14, 2014 to December 1, 2015. From December 1, 2015, the Veteran is granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including personality disorder, depression, and PTSD due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from February 16, 2012. The rating agency has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety. The appeal is remanded due to outstanding VA records and stressor verification.