PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has found that remand is needed for further development regarding the Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims. The Veteran will need a new VA psychiatric evaluation to assess his PTSD, differentiate its effects from his nonservice-connected TBI, and determine functional limitations. Additionally, efforts must be made to contact the Veteran’s previous employers to verify employment and reasons for termination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding his in-service stressors. The AOJ is required to attempt to corroborate the Veteran's assertions of witnessing combat-related injuries and fatalities, including records from 'Force Recon,' Vietnam, Japan, Cuba, and a six-month cruise making stops in Puerto Rico, Panama, Philippines, and Japan.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 2, 2014, resulted in occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. However, his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were consistent with a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete review of the Veteran's medical records and a need for clarification of the examiner's opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to the lack of verified in-service stressors and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a stomach disorder. The claims for costochondritis and psychiatric disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied, and the case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea is related to his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for PTSD was granted with a 70% disability rating, but new and material evidence was submitted within one year. The Board has remanded both the PTSD increased rating claim and the TDIU claim due to inconsistencies in the VA examination reports.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30% and has been granted a 50% rating, but no higher, for the entirety of the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was denied. The Board found the earliest possible effective date of October 13, 2016 has been granted and there is no evidence of intent to file a claim prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD has been granted. The appeal regarding TBI residuals, TDIU, and increased ratings for other conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to lack of physical loss or impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including nosebleeds, neck disorder, allergies, asthma, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, bilateral knee disorder, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), finding no new and relevant evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service stressors are consistent with his reported experiences and credible testimony. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a supplemental VA examination to address the issues of service connection for PTSD and low back disability. The examiner must provide opinions regarding whether the Veteran’s conditions are related to his military service, including as due to aggravation by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, the lowest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The VA examiner found that his symptoms are consistent with a 30 percent evaluation.