PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and tinnitus did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2017. Therefore, the claim for TDIU prior to this date is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a remand for further examination. His claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are also being remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was denied. The rating prior to December 20, 2019 was found not to meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating, and from December 20, 2019, it was found not to meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with alcohol abuse and CAD is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a current examination.

The Veteran's service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of August 27, 2015. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to all issues related to service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and associated acquired psychological disabilities are rated at 70 percent effective July 5, 2013. The VA also granted entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning February 8, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD, mood disorder, and secondary alcohol abuse were granted a 70 percent evaluation from March 1, 2010 to December 9, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened in January 2015, and service connection was granted with a 100% rating effective December 21, 2009. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and initially rated at 30 percent prior to June 26, 2014. The rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent after June 26, 2014. The Board found the symptoms more closely approximated a 50% rating prior to June 26, 2014 and a 70% rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right tibia fracture was denied. The claim for TDIU from November 7, 2008 to April 9, 2012 was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and granted a 50% disability rating for bilateral pes planus. The decision found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran’s claimed stressors or diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, while the claim for a TDIU was granted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an increased rating of PTSD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma) and a psychiatric disorder (to include posttraumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood), both of which were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases for denying TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) prior to July 15, 2016. The Veteran's unemployment is supported by evidence showing he was prevented from obtaining and sustaining gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of whether the Veteran's PTSD made him materially less capable of resisting the effects of his conditions causing death.