PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a seizure disorder and increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder with PTSD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected psychiatric disorders and his claimed conditions. The VA will obtain additional evidence, arrange for an examination, and consider whether 'staged rating' is appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2013 VA examination under DSM-IV. A new examination and opinion based on full review of the record and supported by stated rationale are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was previously denied TDIU prior to July 29, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. However, since July 29, 2015, the Board found that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a comprehensive examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, PTSD, and an undiagnosed illness with symptoms of fatigue due to Gulf War hazards. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD from July 30, 2010 to August 22, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective July 30, 2012. His degenerative joint disease and plantar fasciitis of the left foot are currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on January 12, 2015. The Board found no evidence of a prior claim and thus denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period.,The Veteran's DM does not require insulin or regulation of activities, and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for DM cannot be prior to May 22, 2011 as it was granted on this date.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, asthma, diabetes, and hearing loss, render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU since July 23, 2010.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was granted a 70 percent rating, but no higher, for the period prior to June 4, 2013. The other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in a previous rating decision, and the effective date of service connection is being denied as there is no legal basis to assign an earlier effective date.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, needs further examination and evidence collection before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied.,For tinnitus, the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination addressing only his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development of records, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a higher rating due to new evidence indicating an increase in symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not in excess of that rating. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.