PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, as his unemployability is primarily due to non-service-connected physical disabilities from a post-service work injury.

The evidence supports the diagnosis of PTSD and establishes a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric and heart condition examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 31, 2008. The Board found that the disability meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating but not higher.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar strain did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent, and his PTSD did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent during the initial rating period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 10 percent disability rating since July 30, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 2006, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board will schedule another VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Board has remanded the claim due to missing service treatment records and potential changes in regulations regarding PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his PTSD is related to military service, including fear of SCUD missile attacks during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA and VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for Graves Disease, initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and initial compensable rating for sinusitis are being addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since May 18, 1998. Since January 13, 2010, the disability is no more than moderate in degree.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 22, 2007. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms including suicidal ideation and anxiety in crowds.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. No service connection decisions were made as the case was not adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address whether any current psychiatric disorders are secondary to service-connected lichen simplex chronicus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and low back disorder are all related to his service in Korea. The PTSD is presumed based on combat exposure, while the hypertension is considered direct service connection due to its onset during service. The low back disorder does not have a clear link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder has been granted a 50 percent rating, effective from September 29, 2005. The right inguinal scar is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including searching for relevant records and conducting VA examinations to determine if the Veteran currently has a psychiatric disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's compensation at a rate in excess of 5 percent during incarceration was granted, but only at half the standard rate.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses and their etiology, including whether he meets the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.