PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating, effective from August 27, 2014.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired mental health disability is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted, but the case is remanded due to a lack of VA examination regarding the relationship between in-service abuse and current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since March 22, 2012. The Board found that his symptoms have improved and no longer meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has withdrawn the claim for an increased rating for PTSD and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for service connection of a back disability and hearing loss are being remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects symptoms such as mild depression, anxiety, a temper and some difficulty concentrating. The Board finds these symptoms to be akin to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and normal conversation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development, requiring a new VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is denied for higher ratings before December 14, 2016 and after that date. The Board finds the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims of a higher rating for depressive disorder with TBI, as well as a TDIU prior to June 6, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection decision can be made as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors. A VA examination is needed to determine if she meets the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD and whether it is at least as likely as not related to a verified stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, are causally related to his active duty service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to October 30, 2017, and rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD as of October 30, 2017. Additional development is needed to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of sleep apnea and whether it was aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, memory loss, and depression have been granted ratings of 70 percent each since the period on appeal. The decision does not address any other conditions or issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen her claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a low back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence, including VA medical center records and private psychiatric opinions, was submitted since the last final denial in August 2009.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a private treatment record from February 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to October 5, 2017, and the Board finds that his symptoms more closely approximate a 70 percent rating. Other issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The appeal for increased ratings in several other conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and varicose veins, is being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to November 20, 2019 and 70 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10% from February 23, 2011 to February 8, 2012. A higher rating of 30% was granted as of February 9, 2012.,From November 13, 2014 to October 10, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD warranted a 50% rating.,Since October 11, 2019, the Veteran has not met criteria for any higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 17, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of these disabilities.