PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's depression with PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 1, 2009. He was previously denied a higher rating and his TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded both issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, including a request for an initial rating higher than 10 percent and seeking an earlier effective date. The AOJ must consider this new evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his alcohol dependence is not service-connected. The low back, hip, knee, and leg disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for fibromyalgia and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused a history of deficiencies in most areas over the years, including mood, thinking, family relationships, and work. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating effective April 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of the Veteran's ability to engage in employment, and requested that VA obtain relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. Therefore, a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for further review due to the addition of relevant VA treatment records and examination reports without a waiver from the RO.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, other acquired mental disorders, and neurological issues due to a withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran’s representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a balance disorder as a separate manifestation of his bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD. The VA examination found no current peripheral vestibular disorder, and the Veteran’s lay statements were not considered competent to determine if his central vestibular disorder is related to his hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and for TDIU due to inaction on part of the VA examination process, as well as new evidence received since the February 2020 Court Memorandum Decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinus disorder, respiratory disorder, sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran was not present at his scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions as secondary to service-connected residuals of frostbite.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for a comprehensive examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since March 13, 2020. This rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to his service or preexisted his service.