PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the failure of the AOJ to obtain all relevant medical records, particularly those from Dr. Elyaski.

Service connection granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, depressive disorder and PTSD. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hip disability. Ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied for left and right knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and individual unemployability benefits are greater than the rate payable for nonservice-connection pension, making the claim for nonservice-connected pension moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 28, 2003. The TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of PTSD related to an in-service personal assault and grants service connection for this condition. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for other acquired psychiatric disorders (other than PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding pre-existence and aggravation.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for PTSD due to inadequate examination and lack of detail in the previous opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to conflicting employment information and missing treatment records. The Veteran's PTSD is being evaluated again, and his TDIU claim is also being reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with TBI residuals resulted in occupational and social impairment, leading to a grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from February 3, 2010 to March 25, 2018.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for cervicogenic headaches was granted at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the Board decision (August 6, 2020).,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims of service connection for psychiatric disability, other than PTSD and unspecified schizophrenia. Service connection is now established for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial PTSD rating has been granted, but his TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient employment history provided.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from December 9, 2011 to October 8, 2019. The Board granted a 50% evaluation for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and for TDIU due to an inadequate examination report. The Veteran is required to be examined again to assess his PTSD severity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50% rating, but his TDIU claim was denied due to the presence of other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not interfere with his employment from September 22, 2009 through February 28, 2010. The Board denied the TDIU claim as he was able to obtain and maintain gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period.,New and material evidence has been presented to reopen his claims for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II, skin disability, and kidney disability. These claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) for the period prior to February 8, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of recent VA examination for PTSD and missing counseling records. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but he believes it should be higher.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 18, 2018. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are granted service connection. However, his back disorder and bilateral knee disorder do not meet the criteria for service connection.