PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a link between in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety NOS, and MDD. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the need to verify a specific in-service stressor and obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran was asked to complete a form for PTSD, but did not do so. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition. Service connection claims for left shoulder DJD and lower back pain are also remanded due to outstanding treatment records and need for medical opinions on etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. Additional development is needed to provide a substantive rationale for the nexus opinions.

The Veteran's headache disability, PTSD with TBI, and right wrist disabilities are granted. The Veteran is awarded a 70 percent rating for his PTSD with TBI from February 7, 2018, and an initial 10 percent rating for his right wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to July 6, 2020 and denied for a higher rating. The right ankle and foot disability remains remanded for further evaluation. TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in unemployability, and a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is already rated at 100% and he has a TDIU based on this condition. Therefore, the issue of a temporary total evaluation for PTSD is moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining his VR&E file and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar strain with IVDS. The effective dates for certain awards are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a left knee disability, residuals of lipomas, and a psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) due to new evidence received since the July 2012 rating decision. The Veteran's service records have been reviewed, and additional relevant records from his military service are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right ear hearing loss and PTSD evaluation, due to issues with correspondence.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, which is the maximum available under the General Formula for Mental Disorders. The Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate those associated with a 70 percent rating.

The Board is remanding the claim for a TDIU due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's employment history and incomplete information provided. The Veteran needs to provide an accurate history of his work and education, income earned, and any attempts at employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was rated at 50 percent prior to July 2, 2018. The Board denied a higher rating and TDIU due to the lack of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to June 9, 2021 and denied for a higher rating. Effective June 9, 2021, the Veteran's PTSD is still rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The appeal is remanded for further development to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, lung disability, right-hand injury, liver disabilities, and diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, currently diagnosed as PTSD and MDD, finding that it is etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and total disability due to individual unemployability prior to December 27, 2017 are being remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating from July 11, 2015 to March 28, 2017 was granted. The claim for a higher rating prior to December 5, 2017 is denied.