PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD stressors. The VA will need to determine if the Veteran's personnel records corroborate any combat exposure during service involving actual threat of harm or death, and then schedule a psychiatric examination to assess whether he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted based on her credible report of in-service military sexual trauma and a private psychologist's diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is dismissed as it stems from the in-service events and his service-connected adjustment disorder. The claims for T-cell lymphoma and status post cholecystectomy are remanded due to exposure basis issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of sleep apnea, and her lumbar spine disability was rated based on limitation of motion rather than IVDS. Her skin disability met criteria for a 10% rating since May 30, 2018. PTSD symptoms did not meet criteria for TDIU, but the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records from prior to February 2013 and April 2018, as well as any SSA disability records and Walter Reed Army Medical Center records related to his heart failure. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination for his hypertension claim.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date, prior to September 14, 2017, for the 70 percent evaluation for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and remanded issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma in service was granted, with the Board finding that her symptoms are related to such incidents and resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,VA has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder and agoraphobia has not been productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records and examination reports.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to May 22, 2018 and 70 percent thereafter for posttraumatic stress disorder (also claimed as anxiety) is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left elbow and ulnar disabilities, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The AOJ should obtain VA medical records, SSA records, and any other relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as the earliest communication indicating intent to apply was on December 8, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU due to conflicting evidence regarding the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with specified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting additional examinations. The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD), lumbar spine disability, renal calculi, right foot disability, left forefoot and ankle disability, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all at issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues related to timely filing of a notice of disagreement and reopening a service connection claim. The Veteran's representative, K.L.L., claims they did not receive the March 2014 rating decision notification letter from VA.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of July 15, 2010 for a 100 percent evaluation for her service-connected PTSD with MDD.