PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected TBI and acquired psychiatric diagnoses. The Board has determined that remand is necessary for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a clinician qualified to provide medical opinions on the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and issues related to the Veteran's service in Vietnam. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there were no outstanding service department records that could verify his combat status and stressors, leading to a final denial in January 1994. The Board found that further development would not serve the interest of the Veteran or the Court.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to a lack of a VA examination and insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's right eye pterygium, respiratory condition (asthma), cervical spine disability, left shoulder condition, hypertension, bilateral upper extremities numbness and cramps, dental issues, and PTSD. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is related to a stressor event during his service. The Board granted the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from February 9, 2016.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 9, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating determinations as the Veteran died during the pendency of these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disability, as well as an increased rating for right knee disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining VA examinations to clarify diagnoses and determine etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and the potential existence of private treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depression, is related to his experiences in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment as of November 25, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total social and occupational impairment from August 29, 2013 to March 11, 2019. From March 12, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD met criteria for a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran has had radiculopathy of the right lower extremity since August 18, 2014 and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity since August 18, 2014. Both conditions have been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from February 15, 2017 through May 7, 2019.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The Veteran needs to provide authorization and VA should request his SSA records, as well as non-VA medical care from Drs. H and E. A VA examination is required for both his claimed acquired mental health disorder (including PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia) and stomach disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and incomplete VA treatment records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has expanded the claim to include all psychiatric disabilities reasonably raised by the record. The Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is remanded due to incomplete VA examinations and the need for further medical evaluation.