PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further development regarding the cause of death, specifically focusing on whether the service-connected PTSD and its psychiatric symptoms contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran has a psychiatric disability other than PTSD and also the cause and severity of his noted memory loss. The Veteran needs an updated VA examination to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent, effective January 31, 2019. The rating for PTSD was increased to 100 percent effective March 20, 2015. The ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities were restored from zero percent to 10 percent each, effective April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from November 24, 2014, to August 3, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating and remands the case.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to new information and employment updates.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety, is related to his service in Iraq. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the receipt of additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, considering his educational and occupational background. The Board denied the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inconsistent statements regarding work history and lack of evidence showing total inability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is denied because the stressor event, which he claims occurred during active military service in 1965 Los Angeles riots, is not considered to have occurred during a period of qualifying federal military active service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board has found that a higher rating is warranted for the period since February 19, 2013, but not prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo a new VA examination to assess his current severity of PTSD, as evidence suggests it may have worsened since his last examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board has also remanded the issues of systemic joint, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, peripheral vestibular, scars, hypertension, and migraine headaches disabilities, as well as acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 12, 2013 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence that a formal or informal request to reopen the claim was received before this date.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD should be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected due to in-service stressors.

The claims to reopen the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including right ankle arthritis, back disability, bilateral lower extremity pain and swelling, left foot drop/abnormal gait, cervical spine/neck disability, residuals of a tibia fracture, right ear hearing loss, allergic condition, asthma, dermatitis (swelling of the groin area), and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are granted. Service connection is established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent from September 23, 2009, to April 5, 2017. The claim for a higher evaluation remains denied as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 19, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Veteran also sought a higher initial rating for his PTSD, which was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective from January 5, 2012. The increased rating for ischemic heart disease prior to May 18, 2012 is denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss is granted. The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is also granted.