PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The reduction in rating for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD from 100 percent to 70 percent was improper, and the 100 percent rating is restored effective May 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and establishes a link between current symptoms and in-service traumatic experiences.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the discontinuation of Vocational Rehabilitation and Education (VR&E) services was in error due to lack of cooperation with selecting a feasible vocational goal. The VR&E services have been restored, and a vocational goal of work in legal aid and an educational plan for paralegal training toward this goal are approved.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and spinal meningitis. The decision also remanded several issues related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, PTSD with depressive disorder, left ankle degenerative changes, right knee degenerative arthritis, right knee laxity, and tinea and lymphocytic leukemia, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted a 70 percent disability rating from December 4, 2013, to March 8, 2016. The appeal for a higher rating and TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD with dysthymic disorder are rated at a 10 percent disability level, effective September 3, 2010.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and the effective date earlier than December 3, 2013, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Veteran's mental health conditions are unclear, and further examination is needed to differentiate between his PTSD and other diagnosed disorders.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating of 70 percent prior to July 22, 2016. The Board found that his symptoms were more closely approximated by a 50 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lumbar muscular strain with degenerative disc disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of June 10, 2010. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis starting from that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, mood disorder, anxiety and depression) as there is no evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI residuals, PTSD, and chronic headaches render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. His combined rating of 80% from December 2015 meets the threshold for a schedular TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current conditions and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and right knee disability is denied. The Board finds that further development is necessary before the remaining issues can be properly adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to deficiencies in obtaining requested records, including Morning Reports from Fort Ord during the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity that they preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective October 2, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional efforts are needed to verify the Veteran’s stressors and obtain VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of PTSD, left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, eczema, and right wrist ganglion cyst are remanded for further evaluation.