PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD, has been rated at 50 percent since the initial rating decision. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent, effective July 1, 2013. The Board has granted restoration of the 50 percent rating for PTSD beginning July 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss disability was dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was also dismissed, but the initial rating for PTSD is granted at 70 percent. The appeal for service connection of back disorder (trapezius strain) is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his gastric adenocarcinoma and residual scar from gastric surgery are both granted service connection based on in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion regarding her claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and adjudicating her TDIU and SMC claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information or evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The decision also remands the claim for total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD claims, specifically related to a sexual assault while in civilian custody during service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD based on combat experiences and a sexual assault.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS is rated at 70 percent from January 22, 2014. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities reasonably preclude her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU, but the issues of rating excessively for chronic scoliosis and PTSD with bipolar disorder remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of his service connection award for PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that the September 2003 rating decision remained final due to lack of new and material evidence within one year of the original denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disorders, PTSD, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, gastrointestinal problems, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, and right foot disorder.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on a single disability rated as 100% disabling and additional disabilities totaling at least 60% is denied. The Veteran does not meet the threshold requirements due to his service-connected PTSD, which was previously rated at 70%, but he has not appealed this rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder, and mixed anxiety has been remanded due to a duty to assist error. His SSA records are needed for the VA to properly assess his claim.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU from January 4, 2011 is dismissed as the RO has already granted this benefit.,An effective date prior to January 4, 2011 for the grant of TDIU is denied because the evidence does not show that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,PTSD is granted as service-connected based on the Veteran's reported symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied due to the unverified in-service stressor. The Board finds that there is no credible supporting evidence of a personal assault during service, and therefore cannot establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, sleep disorder, and headaches are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation since his retirement from the US Postal Service on April 1, 2015.