PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and related psychiatric disorders including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied, and his claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied. The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran was awarded a 70 percent evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder effective May 7, 2008. The effective date is based on the fact that his symptoms met the criteria for such an evaluation as of May 7, 2008.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or dementia of Alzheimer's type related to service, and thus the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for sinusitis, a skin disability, a breathing disability, headaches and an eye disability in an April 2011 letter. As such, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 20, 1998 for service connection of PTSD was granted. The effective date is set at June 14, 1990.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no communication from him or his representative indicating intent to seek this benefit prior to October 25, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in November 1999 and December 2000, but he withdrew his appeal regarding this issue on June 25, 2002.,In May 2003, the Board granted a 70% rating for PTSD and bipolar disorder effective April 6, 1999. The Veteran appealed the effective date of this decision.,The RO assigned a 100% disability rating for PTSD and bipolar disorder effective May 22, 2003. The Veteran appealed the effective date of this decision.

The VA has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the appellant's PTSD, effective from March 23, 2000 through January 7, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 9, 2011. Prior to that date, he was granted a TDIU effective October 31, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in 2005. The case is now remanded due to the liberalization of evidentiary standards for claims related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and because there are concerns about verifying stressors.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an increased rating for PTSD and did not grant an earlier effective date for TDIU. The appellant was currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD, but his claim for a higher rating was denied due to lack of total occupational and social impairment. For TDIU, the Board found that the effective date could not be earlier than October 14, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a comprehensive VA examination to determine whether PTSD is related to any such stressor or stressors. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for PTSD prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment, thus a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and state disability determination records. The effective date of the TDIU will be determined based on whether the Veteran met the schedular or extra-schedular requirements.