PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD has been denied, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records regarding the appellant's service during and following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The effective date for the award of PTSD service connection remains April 30, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied, but his PTSD symptoms were found to warrant a 50 percent rating. His headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and verifying employment dates and income. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be reassessed based on the new information.

The Board denied a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to September 14, 2011 due to the preponderance of evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of PTSD due to the appellant's withdrawal before a decision was made.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to the lack of credible supporting evidence verifying the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and the current diagnoses of PTSD not being based on a verified stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder alone has not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 17, 2008. However, from that date onwards, the Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and the provision of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chest scars prior to October 25, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is dismissed.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of residuals of a right arm fracture. The petition to reopen is denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability is granted.,Service connection for a right wrist disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to issues with his right knee disabilities, PTSD, and service-connected conditions. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant records and provide the Veteran with a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were found to be less than 100 percent disabling, resulting in a denial of increased ratings. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent effective December 28, 2015. The Board has found that the issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to December 28, 2015, and the claim for TDIU are both on appeal.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, needs further development due to incomplete records and issues related to verifying a stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of an in-service stressor, witnessing the accidental shooting of another soldier during service in Korea. The Board found that there was credible supporting evidence for this stressor and medical opinions supported the connection between the current PTSD symptoms and the in-service event.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disability prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder symptoms have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, resulting in a denial of a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to his military service and granting the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The Board found the preponderance of evidence supports a 50 percent rating for PTSD with depression.,Service connection for headaches and IBS are remanded as they may be related to service-connected conditions or due to exposure to environmental factors.