PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD potentially based on military sexual trauma (MST). The Veteran needs to provide a stressor statement and VA Form 21-0781a. An additional examination is needed to clarify the diagnosis and secure a fully reasoned nexus opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirement for a TDIU as they are not shown to be of such severity that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a total right knee replacement from March 1, 2018 is also granted with a 60 percent evaluation. The claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the current rating (10%) is the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for PTSD. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or relation to service, and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to scheduling issues with VA examinations.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period prior to January 23, 2020 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left knee patellofemoral syndrome and increased rating for PTSD was granted. The effective date for the increased PTSD rating is set at August 13, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the veteran's claimed military service was not verified, and thus there is no legal entitlement to VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for left wrist condition, low back disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for coronary artery disease and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD) are being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 28, 2014 and 70 percent thereafter. The appeal is remanded for further development.,TDIU from February 28, 2014 to March 8, 2015 has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for a TDIU due to service-connected disorders. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations, and further information about his employment history must be obtained.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from September 1, 2008 to July 30, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 20% since December 5, 2011. Service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examination and consideration of an extraschedular TDIU for the period before October 7, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a higher rating for PTSD and granted TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating, and the issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot due to his already receiving a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI symptoms are currently rated at 70 percent, which is the highest rating available for combined service-connected disabilities. The Board found that separate ratings were not warranted as the primary symptoms of TBI cannot be separated from his symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to June 4, 2019 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective throughout the period of the claim. The Board also determined that he does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.