PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 11, 2020.

The Board has reopened the claim for VA benefits due to new evidence submitted, but has remanded the issue of whether the character of the Servicemember's discharge constitutes a bar to the payment of VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear examination reports and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include PTSD, low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 27, 2011. The Board found that the current rating of 70 percent is appropriate as it does not reflect symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint and bone pain cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings, TDIU, headaches, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and its residuals from a traumatic brain injury have been granted an initial 70 percent disability rating since November 9, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 26, 2021. The RO also granted a TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 2, 2012 for the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD. The earliest evidence showing a 100% level for PTSD is from a February 2012 treatment record.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective June 18, 2008. The symptoms and impairment caused by the condition have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an additional etiological opinion that is in conformity with the DSM-IV and addresses the Veteran's lay statements regarding his tours of duty. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial 50 percent evaluation. The issues of service connection for Restless Leg Syndrome and bilateral hearing loss prior to December 7, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent on and after that date are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, seizure disorder, and pes planus, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 29, 2013. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board denied a TDIU as the disability rating was less than total, and the Veteran's symptoms alone were not sufficient to preclude substantial gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being added to the file and not previously considered by the RO. The Veteran's skin disability, PTSD, hypertension, and TDIU claims are all subject to further review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and need for additional development regarding stressor claims.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition worsened during his brief period of active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with anxiety and PTSD, as well as his claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.