PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits is denied as there was no claim filed prior to July 25, 2006. The evidence does not show that the Veteran was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 21, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by near-continuous depression affecting his ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; intermittent suicidal ideation; anxiety attacks; impaired judgment and marked difficulty adapting to stressful situations. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity and symptoms of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his Achilles tendon injury and his claim for service connection for PTSD were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. A VA examination is required to determine if his current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of a seizure disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and low back disorder claims were denied. The PTSD claim was not granted as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating, while the low back disorder claim was not granted due to lack of service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a verified in-service stressor and thus denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board denies his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Additionally, the SSA records and all outstanding treatment records should be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of PTSD and hepatitis C for further development due to insufficient stressor verification.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with depression was found to have originated during his military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 14, 2007 and increased to 50 percent beginning on that date. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further investigation of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a video hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating since the effective date of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the link between his current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and his military service. Additional evidence from private therapists and treatment records are also needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine the current severity of his service-connected right femur fracture, PTSD, and right sciatic nerve injury.