PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD for the entire appeal period.,PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective June 27, 2013. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU due to outstanding development needs, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.

The Board has granted a TDIU, and the claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was withdrawn by his representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his income from self-employment as a farmer exceeded the poverty level and he was not unemployable.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, which approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, and an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of whether his nonservice-connected depression might be secondary or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and thus grants his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing Level II in both ears.,The effective date for service connection of PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety is currently set at December 27, 2006. The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 16, 2016 for the award of SMC at the (t) rate due to the Veteran's need for aid and attendance based on his service-connected TBI residuals. The decision is binding only with respect to this specific matter.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, as no SOC or SSOC was issued in time to be considered under the AMA appeals system.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service stressors and resolving doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. He is granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, effective from November 30, 2009. The decision is based on symptoms such as suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control, anger outbursts, severe depression, anxiety, and panic.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, a cervical spine condition, and a thoracolumbar spine condition have been dismissed without prejudice to refiling.,The Veteran’s appeal for service connection for hyperlipidemia has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to consider in-service stressors and VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for macular degeneration, left eye; schizophrenia; and PTSD have been dismissed. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant VA records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of more than 50 percent is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, IBS, tinnitus, left ankle sprain, and right ear hearing loss, do not render him unemployable as his employment history shows he has been able to maintain some level of education and work experience. The Board finds the evidence does not demonstrate total occupational impairment associated with these disabilities.