PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period prior to November 2, 2018. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected PTSD for this same period.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if an effective date earlier than August 17, 2011 for the grant of TDIU is warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if a headache disability is related to service or service-connected PTSD with traumatic brain injury residuals, and whether the PTSD residuals have aggravated any headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to November 14, 2017 and 70% since then. The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to November 14, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder(s). The examiner must determine if any current psychiatric condition, including depression, is related to the Veteran’s in-service stressors.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD prior to July 10, 2017 and a rating of 70 percent beginning on that date.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and substance use disorder, in full sustained remission.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for clarification of diagnostic criteria and further examination regarding PTSD and depression diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for a new one with a qualified clinician who has not previously examined him.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the July 2016 rating decision. The Board found that his symptoms, while significant, do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary regarding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The matter must again be remanded due to noncompliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 30 percent and increased to 50 percent effective January 31, 2020. The appeal for higher ratings continues as the maximum schedular rating has not been awarded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) due to missing service treatment records. The VA needs to make additional requests to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an updated VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his active duty or any incidents therein, including reports of being beaten and sexually abused by his sergeant.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and granted a 10% rating for the Veteran's right knee disability prior to November 1, 2007. However, it also denied any higher ratings for the right knee disability since that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to February 19, 2015 and a reduction from 70% to 50% was improper. A restoration of the 70% rating is granted effective November 1, 2019. The appeal for service connection for a bilateral hip condition is remanded.