PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board also remanded the case for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any currently-diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to August 7, 2014, due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent for the period from October 6, 2011 to March 2, 2015 and increased to 70 percent beginning on March 3, 2015.,For the initial rating period (October 6, 2011 - March 2, 2015), the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For the subsequent period (March 3, 2015 onwards), a 70 percent rating was granted based on more severe symptoms including outbursts of anger, violence, and suicidal thoughts.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a higher rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, including alcohol abuse, and his TDIU due to service-connected PTSD should be remanded as the VA examiner did not consider his alcohol dependence diagnosis or whether it is possible to differentiate what symptoms are attributable to each disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with substance use disorders is considered to have contributed to his cause of death, and the Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for TDIU was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but did not meet the criteria for a 70% or higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his notice of disagreement was not timely filed, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than September 18, 2018 for PTSD with depression and anxiety, and for a higher rating for CAD. The case is remanded to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected heart disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to inconsistencies in previous opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and depression with alcohol dependency, including its impact on social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are based on in-service stressors and current diagnoses of various mental health conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran’s tinnitus was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's subjective reports of onset were inconsistent with his contemporaneous treatment records.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of psychiatric disability (including PTSD, MST, substance and alcohol abuse, schizophrenia, and depression) that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD, is granted a rating of 50 percent. The Veteran also receives a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for a thyroid disorder, increased ratings for PTSD and related conditions, and an earlier effective date for hearing loss. The Board dismissed these issues as the appellant has requested to withdraw them.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and head injury residuals, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran is advised to submit any relevant medical or non-medical evidence to support his account of active service events.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 26, 2017. The right ankle scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected PTSD, which contributed substantially or materially to his death. The claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and § 1318 are dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, to service. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating, his right wrist disability and carpal tunnel syndrome are each granted initial ratings of 50%, and he is granted a TDIU. The back disability issue has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and increased ratings on multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, foot fungus, left shoulder disorder, restless leg syndrome, rhinitis, sinusitis, sleep disorder, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. As a result, these issues are dismissed.