PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are as likely as not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including a physical assault during service.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 21, 2003 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by subclinical symptoms and does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for PTSD has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current level of PTSD disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and pursuing information regarding a reported death of 'Private Scott'. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by recurrent nightmares, flashbacks of combat, and other symptoms. For the entire initial rating period, these symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability, tinnitus, and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) is related to service but the claim for service connection remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 2, 2009. The case is REMANDED for additional development to ensure a complete and current record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disability and whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and an inability to establish a valid diagnosis based on unverified information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of March 23, 1982. For the initial rating period prior to February 22, 2002, a disability rating of 50 percent is assigned.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating available under VA guidelines. The appeal has been denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service and the Board finds that the positive and negative evidence is in equipoise with respect to the claim for service connection for PTSD, thus granting the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Appellant regarding a possible link between malaria and the Veteran's cause of death. The claim will be reviewed again with consideration of this new information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right bundle branch block, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and noncompensably rated left fifth metacarpal finger fracture residuals and scar of the left palm, preclude gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an apportionment of her husband's VA compensation benefits, finding that he was reasonably discharging his responsibility for her during their separation and thus no basis exists for a 'general' apportionment. However, there is no hardship shown to warrant a 'special' apportionment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Social Security Administration.