PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the beginning of her appeal period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment but not total impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of in-service depression and subsequent decline in performance during service. The Veteran's PTSD is being reviewed again for a more comprehensive opinion.

The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD with TBI from June 11, 2010 to September 14, 2012. The Veteran was also granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate during this period.

The claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, as well as a major depressive disorder. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records from VA and non-VA providers who have treated him for these conditions. A new VA examination must be conducted by an examiner who has not previously examined the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated as 50 percent disabling prior to December 10, 2010. From December 10, 2010, the rating has increased to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service stressors must be verified by the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and dismissed the increased rating claims for left ankle and foot disabilities. The right shoulder disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeals.,An issue regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for functional bowel dysfunction is granted. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 17, 2018. A TDIU rating is granted from that date.

The Board has found that an additional remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disability was caused or aggravated by his service. The case is being returned for further examination and a new opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep apnea due to lack of current evidence or inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for a current examination to determine the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to September 15, 2016 and 70 percent from September 15, 2016 to June 4, 2017. The claim for a TDIU prior to September 15, 2016 is denied.,The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent rating since June 5, 2017 and the request for a TDIU during this period is moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded for further development. Other claims are also remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his participation in SERE training during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, abdominal scar, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to February 6, 2018. From February 6, 2018 onwards, the Veteran’s PTSD did not result in total occupational and social impairment.