PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

Your appeal for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder has been dismissed because you withdrew the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30% from December 23, 2014 to December 1, 2015. From December 1, 2015 to January 4, 2020, the rating was increased to 50%. For periods after January 4, 2020, a higher rating of 70% is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to July 18, 2019 and for TDIU due to PTSD. The Veteran's claim is pending as there are outstanding private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for an additional medical opinion regarding whether his current psychiatric disability is caused or aggravated by any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records from Dr. Piccanini, and a request for these records is required.

The Board has found the VA examination inadequate due to an inaccurate factual premise and remands for a new examination with full consideration of all relevant records, including recent mental health treatment records showing diagnosis and treatment of depression in 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% rating from March 5, 2014 to June 25, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with associated alcohol use disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to a stressor event during his Reserve service while stationed at Aviano Air Base in April 1999. The Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and concluded that he had met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and effective date for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 100 percent, but her symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened, and there is a need for an updated VA examination to assess the current status of his condition. The Veteran also needs to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all private providers who have treated him for PTSD. Additionally, the AOJ must consider whether the Veteran is entitled to Total Disability rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for a disability of the third finger of the right hand, and service connection for a right ankle condition. The case will be returned to the VA Regional Office for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying an in-service stressor related to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD should be remanded due to incomplete development and compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and adjustment disorder is being reviewed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, MDD, and panic disorder, is related to active service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 30% evaluation prior to April 18, 2019. Since then, the VA has increased his evaluation to 70%. The Board found that he now meets the criteria for a 70% evaluation as of April 18, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and a higher rating for PTSD due to new evidence added since the last decision. The AOJ must consider this new evidence and properly adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% effective March 20, 2018. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains at a Level I in the right ear and Level XI in the left ear prior to September 25, 2018, and Level VI in the right ear and Level XI in the left ear from September 25, 2018 onwards. Both issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to April 4, 2014 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. From April 4, 2014, the criteria for TDIU were met due to combined effects of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional reaction (claimed as depression), are denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar strain are remanded.