PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective August 11, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since January 17, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings on this issue and service connection for other conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to consider all of the Veteran’s mental health treatment records and provide a new opinion on whether his current PTSD is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and herpes due to unclear medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher PTSD rating and TDIU due to new evidence of worsening symptoms, including unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and TBI residuals, as well as a potential secondary service connection claim for alcohol abuse. The VA will also obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issue of OSA, as it was not raised in his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to deficiencies in the development of evidence and for further examinations. The issues include increased ratings for migraine headaches, major depressive disorder with TBI, and PTSD; entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU); and service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder has been granted a 100 percent rating, effective from the date of receipt of his claim. The Board also found that he is not eligible for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of all issues in the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted for the period prior to March 10, 2014 due to his service-connected PTSD preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees, cardiac murmur, and hypertension has been denied. The Board has found that there is no evidence to support these claims.,Regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include chronic anxiety and PTSD), the Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from October 1, 2018 due to lack of clear and convincing evidence showing he was capable of more than marginal employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim to establish service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, PTSD, and bipolar disorder was denied in March 2012. New evidence has been received that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the issue. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 30 percent prior to September 11, 2013, and 100 percent thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated a 30 percent evaluation prior to September 11, 2013, and a 100 percent evaluation thereafter.