PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, effective July 8, 2008. The Veteran's PTSD is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 5, 2009. From March 5, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating. Service connection for a mid-back disorder was denied.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran had Posttraumatic Stress Disorder prior to August 31, 1994. Therefore, the effective date for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder cannot be earlier than August 31, 1994.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the lack of credible evidence corroborating his claimed in-service stressor. The claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder remains pending and will be remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rate of payment in excess of 50 percent for educational assistance under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code was denied as she did not meet the criteria for discharge from active duty due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD was granted, and his TDIU rating with effective date prior to November 1, 2000 was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective from November 10, 2010, based on significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining SSA disability determination and medical records associated with the determination, providing a new VA examination for the Veteran's low back disability, and scheduling another VA examination to determine if the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been manifested by reduced reliability and productivity, but not occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The criteria for a 50 percent disability rating have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of both the old and new rating criteria for PTSD and a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with notification and development of records, including VA examinations.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for PTSD, finding that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and provided competent lay testimony regarding an in-service stressor. The Board concluded that the Veteran's PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's death prevented any claims for accrued benefits from being processed, as all prior claims were adjudicated and closed before his death. The appellant did not have standing to file a claim for accrued benefits due to the lack of pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from March 31, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as there is no evidence that a formal or informal claim was received prior to July 6, 2009. The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms consistent with a 10% rating under the criteria for PTSD in VA's Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain another VA examination and for further development of the claim, including consideration of whether different ratings may be warranted for different time periods in light of Hart v. Mansfield.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, an adjustment disorder, and depression, as well as status post peripheral vascular disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including access to employment verification and VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 23, 2001, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.