PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. Service connection for hypertension and bruxism were granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to insufficient evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain treatment records from Walter Reed Military Medical Center and provide VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and service connection for various upper extremity and spinal disorders were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran had not been provided with adequate examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his shoulder and spine conditions.

The Veteran's previously service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal, and he was granted TDIU effective September 23, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions regarding his sinus condition and its relationship to his other claimed conditions.

Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in service.,Service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded as the issue was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD and low back disorder. This includes obtaining missing records, verifying stressors, and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to the evidence showing a current disability, an in-service stressor, and a link between the two.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left ear disability and a need for updated VA medical records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating higher than 50 percent, but additional remand is required to obtain an opinion regarding the impact of his prior alcohol abuse on his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient reasons or bases in the original decision, specifically regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied because he failed without good cause to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 25, 2019. The rating was increased to 50 percent from that date and a TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to February 29, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 27, 2012. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from July 28, 2014, to December 17, 2014, and at 70 percent from February 1, 2015, to November 15, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD warranted a higher rating during these periods due to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at a noncompensable rating prior to March 6, 2017, and a compensable rating thereafter. The Veteran was granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD.,PTSD symptoms include disturbances of mood, irritability, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and diminished ability to maintain relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, which reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the entire appeal period.