PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's GERD and his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, prostate cancer, and Hodgkin's lymphoma. The Veteran will need a new examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected psychiatric disorder has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing from representation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from March 13, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has referred the case to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining prison medical records. The Veteran's claim for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is also on hold.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to more closely approximate a 50 percent rating, and the Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD. The case is also remanded for further development regarding an increased rating and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disability, bronchitis, and a left shoulder disability. The right knee degenerative joint disease claim was remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disorder, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) as there is no credible evidence of current disabilities or functional impairment related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from November 13, 2009 to February 6, 2012. The rating was granted as the symptoms during this period more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU were denied, with the effective date of all grants being February 2, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) for further development. The VA examinations were inadequate, so both issues must be reconsidered.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities can be classified as residuals of organic disease or injury, which could affect his eligibility for SAH.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions due to an inextricably intertwined issue regarding the character of the appellant's service from April 18, 2011 to July 21, 2015. The other issues are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 29, 2020. This rating reflects the significant occupational and social impairment caused by the Veteran’s symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not deficiencies in most areas. The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the period prior to February 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of VA examinations and incomplete evidence. The Veteran is requested to undergo VA examinations for hepatitis C, cervical spine disability, lower back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's ED is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, specifically diabetes, CAD, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus.

Service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD) is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and a right foot condition is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from March 27, 2014. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected PTSD.