PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

Service connection for PTSD, fibromyalgia, and headaches has been granted. Service connection for low back disability and pulmonary embolism is remanded.,The Veteran's PTSD, fibromyalgia, and headaches have been found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The VA found that the Veteran’s PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depression was initially rated at 50 percent prior to September 12, 2018 and denied a higher rating. For the period from September 12, 2018 onwards, he is still denied a higher rating.,For his right shoulder impingement, chronic low back strain with myofascial pain, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, the Veteran's claims are pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted on February 27, 2018 with a 70% disability rating. The Board found that there was no earlier date of entitlement or claim prior to this date.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's other specified trauma and stress related disorder, previously rated as noncompensable. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran’s symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational and social functioning or require continuous medication.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from January 3, 2017. The Board also granted a TDIU effective January 3, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from September 13, 2020. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to his service in Afghanistan. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The appeal for an increased rating for the back disability is remanded due to inadequate examination and new regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is related to his military service, specifically his reported MST. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a broken right hand.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent since October 17, 2013. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities because the Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD, including associated alcohol problem and depressive disorder is being remanded due to outstanding mental health treatment records from the Vet Center in Culver City and UCLA Behavioral Health Associates.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 70% for PTSD as of June 1, 2007 (excluding periods of previously assigned 100% rating). The Veteran's TBI has also received an increased rating to 60%. Both conditions are rated based on their direct impact without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for dizziness, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, a right eye injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the denial of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's current low back and right hip disorders are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service. The skin disorder may be related to service due to potential pre-existing conditions exacerbated by service.,PTSD was diagnosed based on childhood trauma, but its relationship to service needs clarification.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied, and his claim for an initial evaluation greater than 70 percent for MDD is also denied.