PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD prior to February 27, 2020 was rated at 30 percent due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. Since February 27, 2020, the Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent based on reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 3, 1994 for the grant of service connection for PTSD based on a finding of clear and unmistakable error in a March 2005 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination and medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is related to his service, including a conceded in-service stressor of fear of hostile military action.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for PTSD with insomnia disorder from January 31, 2007 to December 5, 2019 was granted. The claim for SMC prior to December 5, 2019 remains pending.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and he seeks a higher rating. The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation due to inconsistencies in his symptoms reporting during the last examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection, as well as not addressing all contentions and evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is now pending with further development required.

An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted. The Veteran's entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (stressor related disorder claimed as PTSD). The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the final rating decision. Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and other mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The Veteran's PTSD claim is being reviewed again, with a focus on obtaining updated treatment records and conducting a new VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the skin disorder service connection claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in a previous VA examination and needs further evaluation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective November 18, 2009. He also receives additional SMC benefits for need of aid and attendance and housebound status.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at a 70 percent disability rating from August 31, 2007 to July 12, 2017. On and after July 12, 2017, the Veteran is granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a link between any diagnosed condition and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and knee disabilities were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for posttraumatic stress disorder is dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. His bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating as his impairment falls within Level II in the right ear and Level IV in the left ear, both of which are considered mild to moderately severe but do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD did not render him unable to secure or follow gainful employment, as he had maintained employment in an industry that allowed for solitary work. The Board found the evidence insufficient to demonstrate his inability to engage in substantially gainful occupation.