PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a VA medical opinion and requests for additional records. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, with particular attention to whether his service-connected PTSD aggravated injuries from a motor vehicle accident, which may have contributed to his COPD.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent from October 19, 2011 to June 13, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and exophytic cyst of the right kidney has been granted. The effective date is not specified as it is the earliest possible.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating as of October 23, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and the Board has also remanded to determine if he has other psychiatric disabilities related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD, has been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence submitted since the last final denial relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted, and his right knee disability remains at a 10% rating. The TBI residuals are rated as headaches and tinnitus, with separate ratings. PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted to a 50% rating prior to July 23, 2009, but denied for higher ratings thereafter.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address service connection claims, particularly regarding psychiatric disorders and a right hip disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective January 21, 2010. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was denied, and his claim for TDIU was also denied as he did not meet the percentage requirements set forth in the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, and adjustment disorder not otherwise specified, is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for a psychological condition, including PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and for a higher initial rating for right hip osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied both his request for an increased disability rating and his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 8, 2012 due to his service-connected chronic bronchitis and PTSD causing frequent periods of hospitalizations that interfered with his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to properly adjudicate the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated based on their associated symptoms, with the highest ratings not being met due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment. The right ear scar has also been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available. The Board found that her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to June 14, 2011. From June 14, 2011, to June 5, 2014, the Veteran is granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the claims.