PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's request for a change to his Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) was granted because the current vocational goal is no longer reasonably feasible due to increased severity of PTSD symptomatology. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder has significantly impacted his ability to secure employment.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the issues related to his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD prior to July 28, 2011. The appeals were not granted as he did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective date for service connection of PTSD is May 1, 2001, based on the appellant's submission of a claim for service connection for PTSD related to military sexual trauma (MST) in May 2001. The Veteran did not have an earlier informal or formal claim for PTSD prior to this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The decision found that there was no request for a new application prior to this date and thus, the correct effective date is January 30, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experiences.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient competent medical evidence to decide his claim.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD and PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is granted, but the maximum benefit available is not yet reached.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 14, 2005. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, and a need for cleaning.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective January 16, 2013. The appeal remains on hold as the TDIU issue has been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (other than posttraumatic stress disorder) are not related to his military service.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD, which renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD, ischemic heart condition, tinnitus, lumbar osteoarthritis, radiculopathy of the right leg, and ankle strain have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU based on his PTSD alone.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for migraine headaches, to include as secondary to PTSD, has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA clinician with an opinion regarding the etiology of his basal cell carcinoma.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 23, 1997 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to November 2, 2000 is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse was rated at 50 percent prior to July 25, 2011. From July 25, 2011 to February 19, 2015, the rating increased to 70 percent. Since February 19, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be fully adjudicated. This includes obtaining service treatment records, private medical records, and a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 22, 2014 was rated at 50 percent disabling. From April 22, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide opinions regarding the relationship between his conditions and active service, including herbicide exposure.