PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The Veteran is required to provide additional information or authorization for any outstanding private records, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is dismissed because the claim was not raised within one year of notification of the March 2008 rating action, and the March 2008 decision became final.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been granted, effective January 7, 2015. The other claims have either not met the criteria for reopening or are still pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for more severe impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50% prior to September 6, 2011 and upgraded to 70% from that date until May 2, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to PTSD is also granted.

The Board has reinstated the Veteran's 70% rating for PTSD and reversed the discontinuation of his TDIU award since April 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied, and his claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.,Posttraumatic stress disorder alone did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to January 4, 2011 and higher than 50 percent thereafter. The case of TDIU on an extraschedular basis remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in 2008, and the appeal period ended without a timely Form 9 being filed. The Board finds no grounds to grant an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination regarding service connection for hypertension, including due to Agent Orange exposure and secondary to PTSD and/or coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the knees and legs, tendonitis of the knees, a bilateral foot disability, residuals of a cold weather injury (frostbite), skin disorder (eczema), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The appeals seeking service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted due to the submission of new evidence that supports a current diagnosis of PTSD related to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and requires an addendum opinion from a medical examiner regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with residuals of traumatic brain injury.

The Board has determined that the July 2018 VA examination is inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD and CAD have been granted, with a 50% rating for PTSD. The TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The effective date claim is denied as there are no pending claims prior to December 16, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD has been shown to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.