PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 5, 2000. The Board has now granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective from June 1, 2002.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and coronary artery disease were denied as the evidence did not support service connection for either condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by impaired sleep, nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, avoidance behavior, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression, and a feeling of loss of control. Despite these symptoms, his occupational and social functioning remains satisfactory with routine behaviors, self-care, and conversation normal.

The veteran's PTSD has caused complete occupational and social impairment since the effective date of service connection, leading to a 100 percent disability rating.

The veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board has decided that a videoconference hearing must be scheduled before the RO.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the veteran currently has PTSD, and thus supports the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and additional development of his Social Security disability claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 6, 2001. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the September 29, 1997 rating decision assigning an effective date of January 8, 1992 for the grant of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder. The veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder was received on September 21, 1989 and thus the effective date should be set as of that date.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, as the veteran did not have any prior service-connected disabilities.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his PTSD, finding that he currently experiences significant impairment but not to a level warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the veteran's claimed stressors, including witnessing a man burn to death and falling off an airplane. The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence, including missing VA records and a need for further examination. The veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is pending.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to a lack of verified in-service stressor and the absence of medical evidence linking current PTSD to military service.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD and found that the veteran's service-connected disability is sufficiently disabling to warrant a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a back condition, finding no evidence of in-service injury or exposure that could support these claims.