PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board finds no legal basis for a higher rating and denies the claim. For the other issues, remand is required to obtain additional medical opinions and potentially new VA examinations.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for individual unemployability, increased evaluation for PTSD, and an earlier effective date. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted the reopening of the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the claim for a higher rating has been granted to 70 percent.

The Veteran's neck disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded due to its interdependence with the increased PTSD rating claim.,PTSD remains at 70 percent, which is the maximum available rating under VA regulations. The Veteran's PTSD was recently witnessed by another veteran committing suicide in September 2014, and a supplemental medical opinion should be obtained to consider this event.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, cervical spine disability, and other conditions. The issues will be reconsidered after these examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the appeal period, warranting a 70 percent rating. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been characterized by flashbacks, depression, anxiety, irritability, angry outbursts, chronic sleep impairment, suspiciousness, social isolation, mild memory loss, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. A rating of 50 percent for the entire period on appeal is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but he maintained his employment and educational pursuits. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and MDD. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran's current PTSD and MDD are related to his military service, including fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to November 8, 2016 for PTSD was denied. A rating of 100 percent as of January 1, 2010 for PTSD is granted. The issue of awarding TDIU prior to January 1, 2010 remains unresolved.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. From September 12, 2015, he is granted TDIU due to service-connected PTSD with depression. From June 3, 2016, he is also granted SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination. The examiner will need to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Schizophrenia, is related to service.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for both issues, so they are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The Board found that his PTSD symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating, but did not find total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at a 50 percent prior to February 17, 2019 and a 70 percent rating from that date.,The Board found the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated a 70% disability rating for PTSD since February 17, 2019.