PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a seizure disorder, and a bilateral hip disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 3, 2009 was denied. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating greater than 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder from August 4, 2009 to March 18, 2012.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 13, 2003 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The issue of whether a clear and unmistakable error was made in not assigning an earlier effective date of August 2003 is moot.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as other psychiatric disorders. The remand includes addressing previous diagnoses and stressors from service.

The Board denied service connection for both the Veteran's eye disability and his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disorders found to be present.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and linking it to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD from May 27, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent. However, the Veteran was granted TDIU status.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated drug and alcohol use disorder is granted a disability rating of 70 percent from August 31, 1994 to May 11, 2009. The Veteran also receives a TDIU effective September 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for compliance with previous directives and to address whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the May 1993 rating decision that granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of whether a substantive appeal was timely filed in response to a May 2014 Statement of the Case due to the lack of timely filing within the required 60-day period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder are service-connected due to in-service trauma.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD for further development due to the Veteran's failure to respond to VA examination requests. The AOJ should seek clarification from the Veteran regarding his wishes on these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision, specifically regarding the use of DSM-5 for PTSD diagnosis. The Veteran's private mental health treatment records need to be obtained, and a VA examination is required to determine if he has a current PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of January 7, 1999. The earliest evidence showing a diagnosis and link to Vietnam occurred on that date.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded the claims for a lower back disability and liver disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as the evidence clearly and unmistakably showed that the Veteran's pre-existing schizotypal disorder existed prior to her entrance into military service and was not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent rating prior to May 3, 2018 and upgraded to a 70 percent rating from that date. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 28, 2010. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment sufficient to warrant a rating of 100 percent for PTSD.