PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his posttraumatic stress disorder and to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bipolar disorder is sufficient to raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, including a new examination to assess his current employment status.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Veteran's symptoms have been found to meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's combat experience in Iraq supports his claim of having experienced a stressor related to this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD was granted, with an effective date of October 31, 2005. The rating was increased to 50 percent as of January 7, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be due to his military service, and the claim for a higher initial evaluation of schizoaffective disorder is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 4, 2003. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher evaluation are not met and has granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at January 18, 2000.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of records related to his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, insomnia, low frustration tolerance, intrusive thoughts, irritability, anxiety, and occasional outbursts of anger. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence reflects that his disability more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss is denied as service connection has been severed. The Veteran's PTSD claim and TDIU claim are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for an appropriate psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at March 28, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.