PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 27, 2020 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,Since October 27, 2020, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the AOJ's decision to retroactively discontinue TDIU benefits from March 1, 2005 was not supported by evidence and requires further review.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU. The remand includes requests for employment information, an examination by an appropriate clinician, and further determinations regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's mood disorder and PTSD were granted a 100% rating effective from March 10, 1988. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 50%. The decision is based on evidence of severe psychiatric symptoms that rendered the Veteran unable to secure or maintain employment.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability by reason of his service-connected PTSD. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

Service connection for a low back disability, to include spinal stenosis is granted. An increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis are denied. The Veteran's GERD is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining medical records from the Elkton Vet Center.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, GERD, and hemorrhoids have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between his sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions or in-service exposures. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bipolar disorder was granted. The claim for PTSD was denied as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Board found that there is current diagnoses of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (bipolar disorder) and remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from May 2018 to the present. The claims of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% disability rating prior to February 6, 2018. A TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's death pension benefits claim was denied due to lack of active military service for pension purposes. The cause of death remanded for a medical opinion on whether PTSD contributed to the cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective January 11, 2011. The Board finds that further development is needed for the issues of service connection for a right-hand trigger finger injury and degenerative disc disease of the neck.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and residuals of hepatitis C have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claimed PTSD and obtain any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment since March 9, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence shows his PTSD symptoms have worsened over time, making it difficult for him to work in an environment with others.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling from May 16, 1989 to March 28, 1994. The issue of entitlement to TDIU based on this disability is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.