PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice for a scheduled hearing, and he has requested another hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The appellant's claim for higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues are whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his PTSD claim, and entitlement to service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran was awarded a total evaluation for his service-connected PTSD effective October 16, 2006. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the other issues. Service connection was established based on a diagnosis of PTSD due to combat stressors in Korea.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to November 7, 2007 and is now rated at 70 percent since that date. The appeal for higher ratings has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records, Army personnel files, workers' compensation records from New York State, and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea, effective February 24, 1992. The earlier effective date is based on the receipt of new evidence (service department records confirming in-service stressors) that was not previously considered.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent prior to December 28, 2009 and increased to 30 percent effective December 28, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder without agoraphobia are currently evaluated at 50 percent disabling. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70% or 100% evaluation.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is found to be related to his in-service stressor, leading to service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran was sexually assaulted in service, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD. As such, the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of a compensable rating for any of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA medical records, as well as verification of SSA disability benefits. A psychiatric examination will be scheduled to address the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to a personal assault in service, and her depression is also considered as part of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be addressed during this process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected psychiatric disability, as his claimed PTSD is not related to his military service. The other psychiatric condition he claims was not shown during service and there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder or a sleep disorder that is service-connected. The VA examinations and medical records do not provide clear diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent from April 12, 2009 to May 13, 2009. The earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was not granted as there was no clear and unmistakable error in the August 1971 rating decision.