PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 25, 2011, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, nephritis with nephrolithiasis, tinnitus, tendonitis of the right and left ankles, and hemorrhoids, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's PTSD and heart disability claims, including obtaining medical records from VA facilities and private providers. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to ensure the Veteran's claims are evaluated in full consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased from 30 to 50 percent, but the appeal is still pending for ratings in excess of these levels.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizoaffective disorder and PTSD, are not shown to be related to service or have manifested within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right eye disability, including his loss of vision in the right eye, is at least as likely as not related to service. The VA examiner opined that the acquired psychiatric disorders are also related to service and stressors associated with military service.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disabilities, foot rash and skin disorders, right knee disability, and right arm disability as they were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a medical opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the remaining claim on appeal.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is March 17, 1997.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and peripheral neuropathy have been granted service connection. The PTSD has been assigned a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent since February 7, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressed mood has not met the criteria for a higher initial rating in either 30 percent or 50 percent prior to and from June 20, 2017 respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder and PTSD, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding their onset during service or due to other causes. Service connection was not established for left and right knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including corroborating his reported stressors and providing an updated VA examination to determine if he meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or depression.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include all acquired psychiatric disabilities and is remanding for a new VA examination to determine if any diagnosed disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940 and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed headache condition. Additionally, he will be scheduled for a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his PTSD with panic disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to August 16, 2013 and is now rated at 100 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU prior to August 16, 2013 is granted.