PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and alcohol use disorder, is now rated at 70 percent disabling from October 21, 2019. This rating reflects the significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD, MDD, and schizoaffective disorder. The Veteran is to be provided with a new VA examination to determine these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 2016, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they cause only reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating and service connection for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, an examination of his psychiatric disability, and issuance of a statement of the case regarding service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability is granted, with the diagnosis of PTSD being linked to in-service trauma. The Board finds that all elements of service connection have been satisfied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, PTSD, and MDD, is found to be as likely as not attributable to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST) incident. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from performing the duties of his current employment as a Constituent Services Liaison with Congressman Aguilar’s office. The Board finds that further education is not warranted due to the Veteran's already suitable educational level and because pursuing additional degrees would not help overcome his 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for post-concussive syndrome with headaches and remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD and TDIU. The appeal is currently pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA treatment records, as well as the need to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus do not render him unemployable, as he has worked for twelve years as a custodian. The Board finds the evidence does not illustrate that his disabilities prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and right knee strain were granted. The claim for left knee strain was denied. The back condition is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent since July 31, 2018, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for PTSD are being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence from SSA.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 17, 2014 for his award of a 50 percent rating for PTSD with secondary alcohol and cannibis use disorder is granted. The Veteran also contends that increased ratings are warranted for his service-connected PTSD with secondary alcohol and cannibis use disorder and lumbar strain with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied for hearing loss, PTSD, and hypertension. The appeal seeking to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was denied as there is no competent, probative evidence establishing a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder that had its onset during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, need for VA examinations, and clarification of employment status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and also denied his request for an earlier effective date for service connection.