PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for cardiovascular disease and PTSD.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU award, finding that the effective date of November 1, 2009 is appropriate as it marks the point at which he became unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a 10% evaluation effective November 30, 2005. The effective date of this award is the earliest allowable under law.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 26, 2007 is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records and providing a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by sleep impairment, pressured speech, poor memory, blunted affect, impaired judgment and insight, anxiety and panic attacks, and loss of motivation. The Board has determined that the criteria for a rating of 70 percent have been met from October 30, 2006 onward.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from August 30, 2006. The RO has granted service connection for PTSD but denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD attributable to his in-service combat exposure and grants this aspect of his appeal. His claims for increased rating for right shoulder disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it is related to his in-service experiences, including convoy missions where he was under threat of enemy attack and IEDs.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms were less severe than those required for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and to obtain relevant medical records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The effective date for service connection of PTSD is set at September 5, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, and to obtain additional medical records from private providers.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, meeting the schedular percentage criteria for a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including obtaining evidence from Social Security Administration and a VA examination.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran is likely to have PTSD due to stressors experienced during service in Iraq, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current PTSD disability is rated at 30 percent, but a higher evaluation may be warranted based on his symptoms.