PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations regarding his service-connected PTSD, TBI residuals, and their impact on his daily life. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved as it was not received within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective August 31, 2015.,Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were granted effective August 31, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from January 15, 2008 to June 29, 2011 due to her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected.,Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and skin cancer are all granted as secondary to exposure to certain herbicides.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and TBI was rated at 50 percent prior to July 16, 2018. Beginning on that date, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The issues on appeal are whether service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) should be granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type 2, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The case is remanded for further development regarding exposure to herbicides/pesticides, chemicals, and ionizing radiation during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 8, 2015 have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial disability ratings have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since June 8, 2010. Effective October 17, 2012, the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's salpingectomy scar is rated at a noncompensable level, but granted an initial 10 percent rating.,The Veteran’s amputation scar of the left middle finger remains at a noncompensable level.

The Board has decided that service connection for PTSD is not warranted and has remanded the case to gather more information about the Veteran's active duty dates, combat status, and stressors.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for prostate cancer is granted at 100 percent. The issues of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety are remanded.

Your service-connected PTSD provides a greater benefit than the nonservice-connected pension you are seeking. Therefore, your request for higher pension benefits is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to March 23, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran experienced significant occupational and social impairment due to his PTSD symptoms, including anger outbursts, difficulty in establishing effective relationships, and suicidal ideation. These findings supported a grant of a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further review is needed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with these other issues.