PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms more nearly approximate a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible disability rating of 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for the Veteran's PTSD, effective from the date of his claim.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have resulted in total occupational and social impairment since April 16, 2002.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings of PTSD and diabetes mellitus, expressing satisfaction with the current compensation levels.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service injury and subsequent treatment are related to his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to December 23, 1997 was denied by the Board. The Veteran appealed this decision and the Court vacated it, remanding the case back to the Board.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and special monthly pension, finding that his discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct. The appeal is dismissed as the character of discharge constitutes a bar to VA benefits other than health care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and major depression, are etiologically related to his service. The claim is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as his claimed stressor of a tank accident during service has not been verified.

The Board has granted a higher initial schedular rating of 70 percent for the veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD, as his current diagnosis is related to his in-service stressors and he engaged in combat with the enemy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the Board found no credible evidence of in-service stressors and insufficient evidence to establish a link between her current symptoms and any such stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, requires additional development due to the recharacterization of the issue. A VA examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% evaluation. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, and shingles are being remanded due to the need for further development including verification of combat service and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as there is both medical and lay evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service traumatic events.

The Board has determined that the procedural safeguards for severing service connection for PTSD have not been met, and thus the case is being remanded to correct this deficiency.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or being housebound is not due to his service-connected conditions, as the need is attributed to a stroke unrelated to his service-connected PTSD, left knee disabilities, and residuals of left mandible fracture. As such, he does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on these needs.