PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to October 15, 2013.,Effective September 15, 2006, the Veteran is granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to April 29, 2014. After that date, the impairment was found to be reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to September 1, 2015 resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD prior to March 16, 2018 and denied any higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for right wrist laceration residuals was denied. The case regarding the effective date of a 70% PTSD rating is remanded due to factual disputes and new evidence received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is not currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a higher rating. The Board denied an initial increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to August 12, 2016, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified trauma- and stressor-related disorder and PTSD with secondary alcohol and cocaine use disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on her symptoms. The issues of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been addressed with initial ratings granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of TBI and granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD with alcohol and opioid use disorders. The issue of TDIU was also dismissed as moot due to the 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar I disorder, is granted as service connection due to in-service stressors and subsequent behavior changes.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating from August 18, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, as his inability is due to Alzheimer’s/dementia. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of May 27, 2016. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's reported stressors. The Veteran will need a psychiatric examination to determine if they have PTSD and whether it is related to their service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there was no verified in-service stressor and the current depressive disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy with adhesive capsulitis, lumbosacral strain and thoracic spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervical spinal stenosis with spondylosis, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.,The Veteran's freestanding claims for service connection of PTSD, allergic rhinosinusitis, cervical spinal stenosis with spondylosis, lumbosacral strain and thoracic spondylosis with radiculopathy, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to insufficient evidence and the need for further medical evaluation.