PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to additional development being required, including obtaining a VA examination and considering evidence from sources other than service records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, with a 50% rating effective January 20, 2009. The case is remanded to the RO for further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to warrant a 100% disability rating as of January 19, 2001, based on the severity of his symptoms. The effective date is set at this time due to the fact that it was ascertainable that his condition had increased in severity prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% for the period prior to April 30, 2009. The Board finds that with resolution of all reasonable doubt in his favor, the criteria for a 50 percent rating are met.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant a higher initial rating prior to July 10, 2003, and the current schedular evaluation of 50 percent since that date is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for PTSD and service connection for skin cancer and intestinal cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to obtain or retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. The Board has granted vocational rehabilitation benefits for a law degree.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, previously diagnosed as PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent effective October 17, 2003. The VA examiner noted symptoms such as avoidance of people in uniform and war movies, irritability, isolation from family members, and difficulty establishing social relationships.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation; near continuous symptoms affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or work like setting); and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is present based on verified stressors. The Veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to reassess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation of PTSD was denied as there is no indication that the disability worsened prior to his March 10, 2004 claim. The effective date assigned is consistent with VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his PTSD and to consider the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD and major depressive disorder, including a VA examination to assess the current level of disability. Additionally, an opinion on whether he is unemployable due to these conditions must be obtained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but denied the claim on the merits as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The TDIU claim is also part of the current appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for migraines. The remaining issues of service connection for cracked teeth, ear injury, and hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a finding that his symptoms are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted with a 30 percent evaluation effective October 31, 2006. The Board found that the symptoms more nearly approximated the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, effective July 18, 2007. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful occupation.