PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since June 1, 2015. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms prior to this date did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to February 12, 2016 and a 70 percent rating from February 12, 2016 to September 18, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as well as his claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome. The appeals were remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a lumbar spine disability remain pending and are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 10 percent and 70 percent disabling, respectively. The TDIU claim is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD, including alcohol abuse (claimed as anxiety), is remanded due to the need for additional development. The case may be remanded again if a VA examination reveals that his PTSD symptoms have worsened.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The cases for higher disability ratings for PTSD and migraines are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cataracts, diabetes, hypertension, and malaria, are of such severity that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher evaluation of PTSD, secondary depressive disorder, and service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations for his bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of impairment in most areas such as work and social interactions.

The petition to reopen the claim for sleep apnea, claimed as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and the appeal for a higher rating is also denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. However, the claim for PTSD remains unresolved due to insufficiently detailed stressor information.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating for his hearing loss and granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not sufficient to meet his claim for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from February 23, 2011 through July 7, 2016 and at 70 percent from July 8, 2016. The Board found the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to errors in evaluating PTSD, including not considering suicidal ideation and unsanitary home conditions. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of his stressor events and a need for additional medical opinions. The case is being remanded to allow for further investigation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been dismissed. The appeals seeking entitlement to service connection for residuals of kidney cancer, a right knee disability, an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD), and a right lower extremity disability have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from March 1, 2011 to May 22, 2013 and at 70% thereafter. The rating for right shoulder strain, cervical strain, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right ankle sprain are all denied.