PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete factual history and the need for a new opinion regarding his service-connected PTSD. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD prior to April 24, 2017, and TDIU are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the onset of his low back injury and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found the evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD or an increased rating for other conditions.

The appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD is dismissed. The claim of higher staged ratings for left knee strain is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has not properly addressed the Veteran's TDIU claim due to his service-connected post-traumatic stress syndrome, and thus it must be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the entire appeal period, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is rated at 70 percent from April 2, 2015 and thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to his PTSD symptoms, warranting a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to January 19, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU is granted as of November 19, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the February 2014 decision. Additionally, a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) has also been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective July 11, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD and a prior effective date for service connection were denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or earlier effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressor and inconsistent statements regarding his combat experiences.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and employment information.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected due to credible evidence of an in-service stressor and a link between the current symptoms and the in-service event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective February 17, 2017.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for PTSD and a low back disability, as well as the earlier effective dates for hammertoes, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board dismissed these claims.