PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development of his dates of active service.,An effective date earlier than July 1, 2015 is not warranted as the increase in PTSD symptoms was factually ascertainable within one year from the submission of the Veteran's intent to file a claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and its relation to service. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was reduced from 50% to 30%, effective September 1, 2016. The Board found that the reduction was not proper and restored the 50% rating.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied because his combined disability rating did not meet the criteria for TDIU at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating effective August 12, 2021. The appeal for an increased rating prior to this date is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the grant of service connection in a previous rating decision. The remaining issues are denied or remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if he has loss of use of his upper or lower extremities, which would be required for SMC(r)(1) entitlement. The current VA examination was deemed inadequate and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD meets the criteria for a 50 percent initial rating, with occupational and social impairment due to difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, caused deficiencies in most areas of his life since May 7, 2012. The Board granted an effective date of May 7, 2012 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 2, 2016. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD symptoms and remanded the issue of TDIU due to its inextricability with the rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating based on PTSD is moot due to the assignment of a 100% schedular rating. The claims for TDIU and SMC are remanded as further development is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since April 15, 2021. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion as to the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder that adequately considers his lay statements. The current VA opinion provided did not address the Veteran's lay statements or provide sufficient rationale.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 21, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's initial period of service is not a bar to VA benefits. However, the character of his discharge for the second period of service from October 29, 2012, through October 21, 2014, remains under review due to potential insanity at the time of misconduct.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and notification of TDIU criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his hypertension, which may have contributed to his death. The case will be further developed and a new medical opinion is required.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking the condition to in-service stressors.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral shoulder disability due to lack of in-service injury or disease and insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and vertigo are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a hearing.