PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication, including an examination to determine if the current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be sufficient for a TDIU rating, but further examination is needed to assess the impact of his PTSD on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depression is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also found that he is entitled to TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his PTSD and related physical conditions, including traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment. The case will also be reviewed to determine if he meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU or if additional extra-schedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is September 21, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 7, 2008, for the grant of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is not supported by the evidence. The Veteran was granted TDIU effective from January 1, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen her claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been received since an unappealed September 1995 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of certain aspects.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and whether it renders him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded for a video conference. The Board found that her service-connected knee disabilities did not meet the criteria for increased ratings or TDIU, as they were currently rated and she could still engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service aboard USS Paricutin during Typhoon Joan in October 1970, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his current PTSD is related to his military service. The anxiety disorder claim was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD more closely approximates an occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent prior to December 6, 2006.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the appellant's original claim for benefits. The rating is based on severe symptoms including social isolation, sleep disorders, irritability, depression, nightmares, and concentration impairment.

The Board found that a timely substantive appeal was received in November 2004, and the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor. The claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 21, 1998. The Board finds that the current symptoms of PTSD more nearly approximate the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be adjudicated based on the evidence obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran was exposed to combat events while serving aboard the USS BREMERTON in July 1953. The increased rating claim for anxiety disorder is also granted, with a current evaluation of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA examination.