PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development of the claims. The Veteran's service connection claims are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's coagulopathy is caused by his hepatitis C, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The RO assigned a 20% disability rating for hepatitis C effective June 18, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder that may be present. The Veteran's claims folder will be referred to an examiner or another suitably qualified VA examiner for this purpose.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been service-connected, with a current disability rating of 30 percent.

The case is being remanded for further development and adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum non-compensable rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was denied in 1973, but new evidence has not been received to reopen the claim. The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and no higher since it meets criteria for such a rating. Other claims have also been addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 15, 2007. The Board finds that the criteria for a total rating have been met throughout the period on appeal and grants a total rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn by his accredited representative, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claim for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has determined that additional substantive development is necessary prior to further appellate review of the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further action, including a VA mental disorder examination and an attempt to verify stressors related to his claimed in-service exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD prior to May 12, 2004 as it is barred by the finality of the August 2005 Board decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 30 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD has been granted. The initial ratings for PTSD prior to July 16, 2007 have also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be remanded for further examination and determination of whether any stressor events are corroborated and if a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to her service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from November 15, 2005. The Board denied a higher rating for the service-connected PTSD in excess of 10 percent prior to March 31, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and PTSD diagnoses.