PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection, effective June 16, 2007. The rating was increased to 70 percent on September 18, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a VA examination and review the evidence for possible staged ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as respiratory and nasal disabilities. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the retrieval of outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and abdominal disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and developing the claim under a recent Court holding.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has been received. The Board also found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressors, including witnessing a helicopter crash while departing from the U.S.S. Camden.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in July 2006 due to a lack of diagnosis. The RO granted the claim with an effective date of April 14, 2008, when the Veteran filed his petition to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 18, 2001, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The decision found that there was no formal or informal claim for PTSD prior to June 18, 2001, and that medical evidence alone is not sufficient to establish a formal or informal claim.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and TDIU, finding that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination, and providing the Veteran with a Social and Industrial Field Survey. The case will be reconsidered to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure, but denied the other claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied service connection for Major Depression and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are more likely due to substance abuse rather than military service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were all incurred in service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The issues of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are also on appeal. The case is being remanded to allow the Veteran to undergo examinations and for further development.

The Board found that hypertension was not first manifested during active duty service or within the first post-service year and denied service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but he contends it should be higher.

The Veteran's PTSD, low back disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, epididymitis, and malaria are all rated at the lowest possible levels due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling, but his other conditions do not warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from November 26, 2008.