PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial rating for a lumbar spine disorder is granted at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since January 23, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective December 18, 2019. The rating remains at 50 percent prior to that date.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The case is also remanded to determine if a TDIU is warranted due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD is granted from December 12, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% disability rating, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The other issues are remanded.

The Board has granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective from the date of service connection. The Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to the need for additional VA treatment records, specifically from March 2019 to present. The Board will then re-evaluate his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, memory loss, and irritability. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to April 29, 2015 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent. From April 29, 2015 onwards, his PTSD symptoms did not rise to the level required for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a lumbar spine disability, bilateral eye disability (including glaucoma and cortical cataracts), right ear hearing loss disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD).,For hypertension, the Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between service and current hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD warranted only a 70 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating. The VA has ordered further examination and development for the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, TDIU claim, and SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD was denied. The reduction from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective March 1, 2018, is upheld.