PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling prior to January 1, 2007 and 100 percent disabling from that date. The Board found the evidence supported a higher rating for both periods.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for clarification of an opinion regarding the Veteran's anxiety disorder and its relation to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his employment history and other nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for mycosis fungoides, finding that the Veteran's skin disorder is likely due to his period of active service. The claim of service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and memory impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's death was due to alcoholic cirrhosis and alcohol abuse, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 23, 2010. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, speech intermittently illogical, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively.

The Board has determined that PTSD was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues related to his vertigo and PTSD, as well as a claim for TDIU. The RO will need to consider these claims again.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all diagnosed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine if the appellant experienced fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, which could support a diagnosis of PTSD and whether his symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. Service connection claims are pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted at a 50 percent disability rating, effective August 14, 2006. The heart disorder due to herbicide exposure and chronic headaches are presumed based on the Veteran's Vietnam service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection, but the RO/AMC is instructed to schedule a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety attacks, and memory loss, needs further development due to a recent amendment to VA's adjudication regulations governing service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and service connection for hypertension, stating he is satisfied with the December 2010 rating decision increase of the PTSD rating to 50 percent. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these matters as they are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible rating of 100 percent throughout the entire appellate period, due to total occupational and social impairment.