PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD was not manifested by total social and occupational impairment for the periods from August 3, 2011, through August 27, 2012, and from November 1, 2012, through July 14, 2015.,For the period from July 15, 2015, through March 5, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptomatology that more closely approximated total occupational and social impairment. The Board granted a 100% disability rating for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and MDD. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether alcoholism secondary to PTSD and medication used for PTSD contributed to the Veteran's death. The VA is asked to provide an opinion on these matters.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to April 17, 2017 and denied for a higher rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity and for obtaining all pertinent treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD with depressive features, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied, with the Board finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was also denied, as he has been awarded the earliest possible effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 22, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to November 2, 2018 and a rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter.,A compensable disability rating for the back condition was granted prior to July 12, 2019. A higher rating for the back condition after that date was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his hypertension and skin disability, as well as service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating of PTSD with depression, so the Board has dismissed this case.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled VA examination. The case will be further reviewed after rescheduling the examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to November 2, 2010 has been withdrawn by his attorney. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has previously remanded this claim multiple times and is now remanding again due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and their relation to service. The appeal must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD has been granted to the maximum schedular rating (100%) since March 23, 2015. As a result, his TDIU claim is dismissed because he already meets the eligibility criteria with the current PTSD rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for PTSD was granted in March 2015, with a 30% rating effective May 1, 2002.,In March 2015, the Veteran was found to have occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted as service-connected.,PTSD, insomnia, and fatigue are denied as not being service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 7, 2010. A TDIU is granted from the same date.

The claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of traumatic brain injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and GMC, are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case will be reviewed again with additional medical examination.