PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to February 28, 2019 and denied for a higher rating since that date. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD, as of June 4, 2007. The decision grants TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 26, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was granted a 100% rating from February 23, 2009 to September 18, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits are being remanded to consider whether the Veteran was entitled to a TDIU prior to May 24, 2001 based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective September 22, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, hypertension, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is awarded a total disability rating for his PTSD, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and skin cancer, due to Agent Orange exposure, were dismissed as the Veteran requested a withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA PTSD examination to clarify whether the Veteran has PTSD and its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and body dysmorphic disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, residuals of TBI, and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of delayed onset hearing loss or other conditions related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 23, 2011 is denied as the evidence does not show that he was precluded from securing and maintaining substantial and gainful employment solely by virtue of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, his service connection claim remains denied as the evidence does not establish a direct link between his military service and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and opinion to clarify the Veteran's diagnoses, including whether he has schizophrenia. The claim is still pending as service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing acuity warranted a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, was also denied because there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran has not provided credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 22, 2015. The Board finds that entitlement to TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus disabilities do not render him unemployable, as the evidence does not show that his psychiatric symptoms are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability at any point during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.