PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim on appeal can be decided, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise a June 2019 decision dismissing an appeal regarding the earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD. The Board found that the October 2015 claim was a freestanding earlier effective date claim, which is not permitted under law.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as his VA treatment records are outdated and he reported recent worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are currently rated at 30 percent from May 20, 2016, until March 6, 2017, and at 70 percent effective from March 7, 2017. Headaches (claimed as head injury residuals) are currently rated at 30 percent from May 20, 2016, until March 6, 2017, and at 50 percent effective from March 7, 2017. The Board has found a need for new examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD due to military sexual trauma during her active duty is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to June 13, 2019 and from August 1 to August 22, 2019 more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.,A disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD was granted prior to June 13, 2019 and from August 1 to August 22, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been shown to be productive of total occupational and social impairment prior to May 16, 2013. The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for the entirety of the period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective September 11, 2013.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective September 11, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities.,Bilateral hearing loss is not service connected.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded as further verification of the claimed in-service stressor event is required.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of compensation for a kidney condition, including retroperitoneal fibrosis, related to asbestos exposure during service is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for headaches, secondary to sarcoidosis, is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD with associated depressive disorder NOS prior to December 20, 2017 is denied. The claim for a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD with associated depressive disorder NOS prior to December 20, 2017 remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to June 26, 2019 and denied a higher rating. Since then, the Veteran has been rated at 50 percent for PTSD since June 26, 2019 and also denied a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations and further verification of his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not cause the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 50 percent or higher, and thus an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent is denied from March 15, 2016 to July 21, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating from January 1, 2013 through January 16, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 USC 1318. The appeal for service connection for cause of death is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the effective date of his TDIU award is set at June 18, 2018.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as new evidence has been submitted that supports the claim.