PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric disability was originally denied in September 1974 due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to service. The Board has now reopened the claim based on new and material evidence, but further examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with comorbid panic attacks and polysubstance abuse is rated at 70 percent, effective December 20, 2012. The claim for an earlier effective date for the rating of PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as the last comprehensive evaluation was over three years ago.

The Veteran's PTSD and mood disorder were granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of death (April 2, 2017).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a bilateral foot condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered them unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since August 25, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA and non-VA treatment records and conducting a PTSD examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression with sleeplessness), and right shoulder injury due to incomplete medical evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to April 29, 2015 or a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70 percent for a psychiatric disability prior to August 13, 2006. The effective date for this rating is set at July 15, 2002.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating than the current 50 percent assigned. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities was dismissed as moot because he had already been evaluated at 100% for his combined disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with schizophrenia was not found to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to November 20, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia, was denied as there is no corroborated in-service stressor. The Veteran's index finger injury to the right hand also did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested in symptoms that caused occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas from April 6, 2016. A disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and additional evidence is needed to determine if he requires aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Parkinson’s disease and acquired psychiatric disability due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Subic Bay, Philippines. The Veteran was stationed on the USS Butte from October 1972 to May 1973, which visited Subic Bay during this time frame. However, no concrete evidence of herbicide agent exposure has been found. The Board also notes that a VA examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.