PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for PTSD with depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU beginning June 23, 2019, due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date is based on the last day of his substantially gainful employment.

The claim of service connection for a liver disorder is not reopened and remains denied. The claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for PTSD. The appeals to reopen service connection for sinusitis with headaches, allergic rhinitis, and anemia were granted. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety).

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial PTSD rating in excess of 50 percent was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for folliculitis was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating beginning May 1, 2018. Prior to this date, the claim for an increased initial rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome due to a lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, as his fall was due to a hip fracture unrelated to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, and hearing loss. The Board finds that the evidence shows he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further consideration due to incomplete or insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims. The VA is required to provide an addendum opinion using pre-1988 rating criteria for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD, major depressive disorder, mood disorder, bipolar II disorder, anxiety disorder, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, based on the Veteran's reported military sexual trauma during her active service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 10 percent for instability is granted. The Veteran is now rated at 70 percent for PTSD from November 24, 2016, with entitlement to TDIU.

An effective date of July 22, 2008 is granted for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's part-time employment at the airport constitutes 'marginal employment' and does not qualify as 'substantially gainful employment,' thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to incomplete development of records from a private group therapy program.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability during the appeal period and that the Veteran did not have evidence of noise exposure related to his military service that could cause his hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of her disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD. The Veteran was not diagnosed with PTSD during the examination and the examiner did not apply the proper standard to determine if his stressor met criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 15, 2010. The rating was granted based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.