PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing Vet Center records and employment information.

The Veteran's initial PTSD rating was denied for the period from August 23, 2012 to October 6, 2014. For the period from October 6, 2014 to May 28, 2019, a 50% disability rating was granted.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The appeals to reopen claims of service connection for a low back disability and bipolar disorder are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to depression that began during service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, for accrued benefit and substitution purposes, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is granted, with the condition now rated at 70 percent.,The initial rating of 10 percent for essential tremors prior to July 17, 2018 and 30 percent thereafter is upheld.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has the ability to engage in several favorable relationships and perform non-complex manual tasks and administrative work.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition, but remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD). The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to October 5, 2011 for service connection of PTSD. The decision stated that the earliest possible effective date is October 5, 2011, which was when the Veteran submitted his informal claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to incomplete employment records. The Veteran's employment records are needed to determine his work history and ability to perform job duties.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% rating effective July 24, 2008. The appeal for TDIU before July 30, 2015 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service combat experiences. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial compensable disability rating for chronic sinusitis due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD, and inadequate VA examination records.

The petition to reopen the claims for left ankle disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is granted. The appeal is allowed to that extent only.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to outstanding SSA records and a need for more recent VA examinations. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 90% for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no credible and verifiable in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment. A disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD is granted from September 30, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.