PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current state of his service-connected PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressors. The case is being remanded for further development, including verifying alleged in-service stressors and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and stressor verification. The issue remains pending as the Veteran has not provided sufficient information to identify claimed stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. The evidence shows moderate symptoms and impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning.

The Veteran meets the schedular threshold for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, and he is unemployable due solely to this disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to VR&E educational and vocational training services as he has an employment handicap due to his service-connected PTSD, despite having suitable employment except for needing a permanent job.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to verify the appellant's claimed stressors in service, which are necessary for a determination on his claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded to gather this information and conduct further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The RO has continued this rating as there are no additional symptoms or evidence of increased disability that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including mood disorder, depression, and PTSD, has been rated at 70 percent since August 3, 2004. The current rating of 50 percent is maintained from October 20, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for an award of TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective August 27, 2009. The TDIU was also granted effective that date.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals for left ankle sprain with instability and mechanical low back pain. The claim for increased evaluation for migraine headaches is denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, but are currently rated at 30 percent. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in December 1999. The Veteran's representative provided information about stressors claimed by the Veteran during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence that needs to be considered by the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claim for an initial higher rating for PTSD is withdrawn. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is set at September 27, 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, requires further development due to conflicting diagnoses and unverified stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective from March 7, 2000. The Veteran's claim was initially denied in May 2000 due to lack of supporting evidence and stressor verification. However, the case was reopened in April 2002 after new evidence (a Department of Army Historical Summary) corroborated his claimed stressors from Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. As a result, the effective date for service connection is set at March 7, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a DRO hearing and review of the claims file by VA examiners. The Veteran's appeal is currently in process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.