PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood; however, it has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment. The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 9, 2010 for a total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) and determined that TDIU was not warranted due to the schedular rating criteria reasonably describing his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 28, 2010. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether his PTSD alone caused unemployability.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the appellant's death, including service connection for asthma prior to May 24, 2019 and for hypertension, PTSD, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, TBI, and meningitis residuals, is being remanded due to the failure to readjudicate it as directed in the April 2019 Board remand.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total impairment. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete VA examination reports. The claims will be further developed with additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and associated complications, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's condition was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but not deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to April 3, 2015 and at 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for PTSD since that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his PTSD is likely due to events during his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder are both granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the VA did not substantially comply with its August 2018 remand instructions and thus, the cases are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability has been withdrawn.,Issues related to cervical strain, bilateral hand disability (including arthritis), and PTSD have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, his right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, and he receives a 20 percent rating for left ankle strain.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and the claim for a TDIU prior to November 1, 2018, was granted with an effective date of that day.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective September 27, 2010. The ratings for renal dysfunction, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and muscle group IV disability are denied. Service connection for hepatitis C and scar residuals from appendectomy, thoracotomy, laparotomy and cut-down scars in the right groin is granted.

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for lower back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). Additional evidence is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's mental disabilities.