PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an effective date prior to May 30, 2006, for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent from July 11, 2005, to May 21, 2006, for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not warrant higher ratings based on the criteria provided in the rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination for PTSD, and another medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent rating prior to April 12, 2017. The Veteran’s diabetes mellitus requires only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, is remanded due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's PTSD with parasomnia rating is being remanded for additional evidence and a retroactive VA opinion to determine the severity of his condition from July 22, 2008, to January 10, 2018. The TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or Other Specified Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorder (subthreshold PTSD) related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and further development is needed before a decision can be made on whether the Veteran should receive TDIU prior to February 11, 2020.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to her in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for further examination and opinion due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the inability to verify an in-service stressor. The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for a scar on his thumb is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. The case is remanded to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher, prior to September 13, 2019. A TDIU for PTSD was also granted prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his other claimed psychiatric conditions are not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has decided that service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to the need to confirm if the Veteran was part of a special operations team and whether they were at Fishhook base during their deployment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective April 20, 2009 (excluding the time period from February 8, 2011 to March 31, 2011 where a temporary total evaluation due to hospitalization has been assigned).

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision. Her claims for higher ratings, service connection, and TDIU have been addressed in recent rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for Vitamin D deficiency and diabetes mellitus, and visual disability (cataracts) as well as his TDIU claim due to in-service events and assertions of worsening conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in relying on a private medical opinion for PTSD, and now requires a VA psychiatrist or psychologist to confirm the stressor is adequate and related to symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent from October 1, 2013 to September 20, 2020, reflecting significant impairment in most areas of functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher initial rating prior to March 6, 2015. However, from March 6, 2015 onwards, his PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment warranting a 100% disability rating.