PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has decided one issue on appeal and remanded the remaining issues for further development. Additional development is necessary, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of COPD, a back disability, and PTSD. The right toe disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to those stressors.

The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD, but the claims regarding left shoulder disabilities remain on appeal and need to be remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are being remanded for further development to obtain service treatment records and determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a thyroid disorder is granted, and he is assigned an initial schedular rating of 100 percent for PTSD. The claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, neck disability, forehead scar, left hand scar, and forehead scar are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to his military service and granted entitlement to service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment-like disorder. The Veteran's account of the in-service stressor related to his convoy being attacked by protestors in Greece is reasonably corroborated, and he was diagnosed with PTSD based on this event.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has remanded the issue for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for TBI due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is advised that failing to report may result in denial of his claim.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, MDD, and a mood disorder as there was no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to October 29, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and a compensable rating for urethra warts, residuals from surgery. The appeals are being remanded to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 30, 2019. The appeal for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, but the Board has determined that he can still maintain substantially gainful employment due to his part-time work as a truck driver.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically his mood disorder and nightmare disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and TBI as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's claims were also denied for increased ratings for left shoulder scars, rotator cuff disability prior to November 14, 2011, and from July 1, 2013, to December 6, 2013.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from August 1, 2011 to August 9, 2011 is remanded due to his service-connected PTSD preventing him from engaging in substantial gainful employment. The AOJ must refer this issue to the VA Director of Compensation and Pension Service under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) for consideration.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD: entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent and an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it may be part of the increased rating claim.