PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between his diagnosed PTSD and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including implementing the Board's decision to increase his PTSD rating and clarifying the impact of all service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The VA has granted a staged evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD from September 27, 2007, through December 10, 2009.,Prior to September 27, 2007, the appellant's PTSD was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since May 5, 2004. The current rating is based on symptoms such as a depressed mood, irritability, anxiety, avoidance, and difficulty sleeping.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran also does not qualify for special monthly compensation based on being housebound as he does not have a single, permanent service-connected disability rated at 100% disabling and additional service-connected disability or disabilities independently valued as 60% or more disabling. His PTSD is currently evaluated at the highest possible rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 19, 2004. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms have greatly increased since his retirement in January 2005 and now cause significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The VA determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD). The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back condition. For the other issues, there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for an ear disorder, to include bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for PTSD, and also contests the validity of a withdrawal of his appeal dated October 20, 2004. The Board has determined that these issues require further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted effective June 26, 2003. The earlier date of receipt of the original claim is used as the effective date.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated during any period of military service and no psychosis manifested within one year after termination of any period of active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent. The Veteran also meets criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including depressive disorder, schizoaffective disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any of these conditions are related to his military service. The examiner will also assess whether the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are adequate to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective January 24, 2003. However, the effective date cannot be earlier than this as no new and material evidence was submitted prior to the December 1992 denial of his original claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA TBI examination and a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is supported by credible evidence and consistent with his service, granted.,There is no clear and convincing evidence to support the claim of Hepatitis C being related to active service.