PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's previously denied service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability, headaches, bone spurs, PTSD, right knee disability, and condyloma (genital warts) are being remanded due to new evidence. The issues of restoration of the 70% rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 1, 2008 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that equitable tolling is not warranted and that there were no extraordinary circumstances preventing timely filing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including chronic mental health and PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of such disabilities related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including insomnia and PTSD, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 18, 2013. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a pancreatic disorder and PTSD from May 4, 2009 is denied. The Board found that the pancreatitis with a tail lesion did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure. For PTSD, the rating assigned was 30 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, finding that the February 2004 rating decision is not final and there are no records in the claims file that can be construed as a formal or informal claim for TDIU prior to March 5, 2001.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for an increased rating and his TDIU claim due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and completing forms.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder have been found to be sufficient to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to February 12, 2015 was rated at 50 percent disabling due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. From February 12, 2015, the rating remained at 70 percent due to continued symptoms of PTSD but no additional criteria for a higher rating were met.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for psychiatric disabilities and gout. The remaining issues are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and Depression are granted as service-connected due to in-service stressors confirmed by his unit receiving a Combat Action Ribbon.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is remanded pending further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 26, 2013. The Board found that the symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity warrant a 50% rating but not higher.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,From September 18, 2018, the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder was granted, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was caused by in-service stressors related to his experiences while hospitalized for a pilonidal cyst and during house arrest due to a firearm discharge.