PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if her PTSD is related to her claimed in-service stressors, and whether these stressors meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct, and he had a combined disability rating of 100% for over one year immediately preceding his death. However, the appellant did not meet any of the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current level of disability due to the possibility of incomplete or restrained answers provided during the last VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's PTSD effective August 29, 2008. The Veteran previously had a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is warranted from March 30, 2010.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which represents a full grant of benefits as he continues to disagree with the assigned evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The TDIU issue is pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and PTSD, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of earlier effective dates for the lumbar disc disease and PTSD evaluations are denied as they were not filed within the one-year period following the final rating decisions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates of August 18, 2007 for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, tinnitus, and a right lower leg scar.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic schizophrenia, currently diagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD with panic attacks), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied. The decision is based on new evidence received after the Veteran filed his reopened claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted with an effective date of April 4, 1996. The disability had its onset in service.

The Veteran's PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment since January 13, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred on June 4-8, 2007, was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria under VA regulations and laws.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied as the increase in disability did not precede the receipt of his application within one year.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary alcohol abuse is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective June 22, 2005. The TDIU claim is granted based on the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was withdrawn. The Board granted a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and granted entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.