PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 28, 2005. The appeal for higher evaluations on the right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus issues remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. His claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10% from February 13, 2009 to October 31, 2010 and increased to 30% effective November 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD was incurred in service due to a verified stressor of an in-service sexual assault, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Board found the preponderance of the evidence against a higher evaluation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and an earlier effective date, concluding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from October 9, 2009. The VA determined that his condition warranted this rating based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, which is secondary to a personal assault during active duty. The Board has ordered additional development including verification of the alleged stressor and examination by a psychiatrist.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have improved, resulting in a higher disability rating of 50 percent effective June 11, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder and PTSD, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The claims of service connection for bronchitis, hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, ulcers, and hemorrhoids were also denied. Service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective August 15, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's discharge from active military service is a bar to his surviving spouse receiving VA benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 8, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal involves a dispute over the appropriate initial rating for his PTSD. The Board finds that he is entitled to at least a 50 percent evaluation, but more development is needed before determining whether a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the date of claim, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for the entire initial rating period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, notifying the Veteran of the criteria necessary to establish a permanent rating for his PTSD, and scheduling an examination by a VA psychiatrist.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.