PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting a completed application for increased compensation based on unemployability (VA Form 21-8940).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified depressive disorder, diagnosed as PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% evaluation for PTSD prior to July 18, 2011 is denied. The Board found no evidence of intent to apply for VA benefits prior to March 5, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, excluding adjustment disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent effective November 4, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating. The Veteran's ED does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was denied. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for seizures secondary to PTSD treatment was granted.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to June 10, 2019 have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a lack of records related to the Veteran's service stressor. The claim for PTSD will be reconsidered after obtaining relevant military records.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to August 23, 2019 was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.,For the period from August 23, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions due to lack of evidence of current disability or causation in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and audiogram results.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent throughout the entire period of the claim. The Board has also remanded for an increased disability rating for TBI.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to June 22, 2011 due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the claim for service connection for a respiratory disability was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. Service connection for PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and right shoulder condition claims are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records since September 2019. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran has been unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected PTSD prior to July 24, 2018.

The Board has vacated the May 28, 2020 decision due to denial of due process. The case is remanded for further action on service connection claims including PTSD and anxiety disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating for the period prior to October 18, 2016. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted prior to March 1, 2016. From that date, a higher rating for PTSD is denied. Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted. The issues of service connection for lung condition (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and TDIU prior to March 1, 2016 remain pending.