PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA's duty to assist, particularly regarding the PTSD portion of the claim. The Veteran needs to identify specific stressor events and undergo a psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 20, 2016 for service connection of PTSD. The decision was based on the liberalization of the evidentiary standard for establishing in-service stressors and the Veteran's service decorations.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in prior decisions and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 21, 2011 is remanded as the evidence shows he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for an initial determination on whether TDIU is warranted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a full copy of his July 2020 letter and proper VCAA notice regarding entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, major depression, and PTSD, are at least as likely as not related to military sexual trauma (MST) during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms did not warrant a higher rating prior to February 7, 2014, but granted a 70% disability rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's cognitive residuals of TBI are granted a 10 percent evaluation from October 2, 2007 to October 22, 2008. Since October 23, 2008, the Veteran is granted a 40 percent evaluation for his cognitive residuals of TBI.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The claim for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal prior to March 15, 2016. A rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor and service connection for PTSD has been granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and addressing the TDIU claim. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100% since March 24, 1995.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to March 2018, as he withdrew his claim. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent and does not meet criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 14, 2018 and granted a rating of 70 percent or higher from that date. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the appeal for an increased rating in excess of this has been denied.