PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but has remanded the issue of service connection for other psychiatric disorders due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's claim is pending further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% before May 6, 2008 and increased to 70% from that date. The effective date for the increase remains pending as it is part of a larger claim.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication based on new VA Medical Center records, and the Veteran is to be provided an opportunity to respond.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting research to corroborate his in-service stressors. The Veteran will also be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently-diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level (100%) and therefore meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, has also been established.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD was received on December 11, 2008. The RO granted a 30 percent rating effective from December 11, 2008. However, the case is now REMANDED to obtain updated VA treatment records and ensure all relevant evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of depression, hyperarousal, impaired sleeping and anger. There are no significant symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. This includes obtaining medical records, conducting social and industrial surveys, and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for herpes simplex II and PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the appellant, including private medical records. The case will be further adjudicated after obtaining the requested records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including anxiety and depression, have been considered. However, the current evaluations for PTSD are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA and private treatment records since March 1, 2009. The claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD will be readjudicated after the additional evidence is considered.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD can be adjudicated. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by insomnia, depression, anger, intrusive memories, hypervigilance, and an exaggerated startle response, resulting in moderate social and occupational impairment. The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 22, 2010, due to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining evidence related to hypertension and PTSD ratings. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's unemployability is solely due to service-connected disabilities.