PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective November 11, 2017. The Board found the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU as of this date and granted an earlier effective date for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD with depression and alcoholism, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, unspecified trauma stressor related disorder, and anxiety condition should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if her current psychiatric disabilities are causally related to her alleged stalking incident during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders are rated at 70 percent, and his degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 10 percent. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his service-connected PTSD with MDD, right ear hearing loss, and the readjudication of his claims have been dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has also been referred to the Hearing Branch.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the reduction of the Veteran's PTSD with depression evaluation from 70 percent to 30 percent effective August 1, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 50 percent, and his right foot plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent. The appeal for service connection of a left knee disorder, initial rating greater than 20 percent for a right knee disorder, and service connection for a headache disorder are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to MST, but granted remand of the issues regarding tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are pending further review.

The Veteran's PTSD with polysubstance use disorder has been manifested by occupational and social impairment, but did not result in total occupation and social impairment. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

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

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection. The claim for PTSD is remanded as the VA examination was inadequate.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for PTSD and has determined that she meets the criteria for service connection based on credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied, as the evidence did not show limitation of motion more nearly approximating forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, TBI with persistent depressive disorder and anxious distress was denied because the evidence did not show that a factually ascertainable increase in disability due to service-connected conditions occurred within one year prior to his formal increased rating claim.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for major depression, recurrent, with history of PTSD. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and CVA residuals due to insufficient evidence. Further development is needed including a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine and invertebral disc syndrome are remanded for a new examination to determine an appropriate disability rating.

The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and personality disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.,The appeals for increased ratings of right knee chondromalacia and right hand minimal motor and mild sensory loss have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied due to his service-connected disabilities not contributing in a significant way to his vocational impairment. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of the Veteran's current symptomatology related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of PTSD and latent schizophrenia for additional development to obtain service treatment records from January 1, 1972, to December 26, 1973.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to conflicting evidence regarding in-service stressors and the Veteran's current symptoms.