PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that none of them were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) should be February 19, 1999, as this is when the veteran last worked and was awarded Social Security disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's psychiatric conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further verification of the veteran's in-service stressors and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the veteran's left knee disability and PTSD.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU was not adjudicated by the Board prior to the September 10, 2004 rating decision. Therefore, the appellant is not entitled to payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits payable from that decision.

The VA has granted an increased rating to 70 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, which is currently at its maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms, while present, did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation beyond 50 percent due to moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for increased disability ratings for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected PTSD has been denied. The RO found that the veteran is not unemployable solely because of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's reported in-service stressors are credible and have been corroborated, allowing for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and a psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective October 30, 2005. He also received an earlier effective date for his basic eligibility under Chapter 35 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic bronchitis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective October 1, 2001. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted as the claim for increased disability rating and TDIU were received within one year of the initial determination.

The Board finds that the veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD due to any event or incident of his active service. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening a claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back injury, an increased rating for a laceration scar of the right index finger, and an increased rating from an original grant of service connection for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence did not support reopening any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently suffers from PTSD as a result of stressors experienced during service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder present, including PTSD. The veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety disorder, are related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.