PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives, specifically obtaining a medical opinion. The Veteran's representative stated that he is unable to attend an in-person VA examination due to declining health and moved into a long-term care facility.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of PTSD. The issues include determining if a higher rating is warranted for PTSD and whether the Veteran qualifies for TDIU due to service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to her in-service personal assault. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has vacated the decision regarding a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD due to the Veteran's death, and dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of January 31, 1991, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating from May 11, 2009 to December 14, 2016. The effective date for this increased rating remains April 4, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his claim for acquired anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms is granted. The claim for PTSD has been reopened and the evidence now raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development and examination due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions preclude him from obtaining and maintaining employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs updated treatment records and an updated VA examination to assess his current psychiatric symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as there were no earlier claims filed with VA.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with a Level I impairment in the right ear and a Level II impairment in the left ear.,The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is remanded for further evaluation due to recent symptom changes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.,The Veteran also withdrew his claim seeking an earlier effective date for tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have reportedly increased since the last VA examination in July 2016. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess current symptomology and determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records, specifically missing VA treatment records from the Boston Vet Center and the Veteran's primary care physician. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant more than reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30% effective July 12, 2018. The Board granted a higher rating and found the earlier date of service connection for PTSD to be November 13, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his current employment as a letter carrier does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to marginal employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100% since December 20, 2012, due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as impaired impulse control, unprovoked irritability, suicidal ideation, intermittent neglect of personal hygiene, panic attacks, near-continuous depression affecting independent function, difficulty adapting to stress, and inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left elbow condition is denied.,The effective date of the award of service connection for bilateral knee DJD is set at February 17, 2011.,The Veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations for right and left knee DJD are denied.,The Veteran is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 3, 2011.