PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective January 11, 2011. The Board finds that further development is needed for the issues of service connection for a right-hand trigger finger injury and degenerative disc disease of the neck.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and residuals of hepatitis C have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claimed PTSD and obtain any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment since March 9, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence shows his PTSD symptoms have worsened over time, making it difficult for him to work in an environment with others.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling from May 16, 1989 to March 28, 1994. The issue of entitlement to TDIU based on this disability is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and TBI residuals have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD due to an in-service personal assault, his tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and there is credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling from July 15, 2015 to July 23, 2018. The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to July 23, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and major depression was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment required for a 100% rating. However, he was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that the most probative evidence is against a diagnosis of PTSD and instead found that his symptoms are best explained by his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for PTSD and remanded the issues of separate ratings for ulcerative colitis and GERD, as well as service connection for ingrown toenails.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in the areas of work, family relations, and mood. It does not result in total social and occupational impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for COPD and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's COPD is not presumed due to herbicide exposure, and the Board found insufficient evidence to link it to asbestos exposure. For PTSD, the Board determined that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating or higher.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claims for PTSD, low back disorder, and right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four different conditions were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran will need to be rescheduled for an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has maintained substantial gainful employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to March 13, 2020 and at 70% from that date. Service connection for low back and bilateral ankle disabilities has been granted.,A remand was ordered for the claim regarding a left knee disability.