PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD disability has been manifested by total occupational and nearly total social impairment throughout the entire period on appeal, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, including PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with MDD was granted. The claim for TDIU is moot due to the grant of a total disability evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for PTSD and determined that service connection is now warranted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, joint pain, CFS, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, and chronic sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for PTSD was denied as there is no legal basis to award such an effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as there was no formal or informal claim filed prior to July 17, 2008.

The Board has reviewed the Veteran's claims and determined that new evidence received since the prior denial does not establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions. The evidence is insufficient to support a finding of an undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his military service, with resolution of all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his employability status related to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unavailability of certain records and insufficient notice.

The Board granted an effective date of October 19, 1994 for the award of service connection for PTSD based on newly associated service department records that established a credible stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to April 2007, reflecting no more than mild symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been totally disabling since July 18, 2005 and warrants a 100 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's current major depressive disorder and PTSD are related to an in-service sexual assault, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.,Issues regarding increased ratings for knee disabilities and TDIU/SMC remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture. The Veteran has occupational and social impairment in most areas due to PTSD symptoms such as anger, isolation, intrusive thoughts, but he maintains a stable marriage and family relationships.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his claimed in-service stressful events.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and the consideration of his TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's extreme psychiatric disability, including her service-connected PTSD and a superimposed severe major depressive disorder, results in total occupational and social impairment. The Board grants an increased rating of 100 percent for PTSD.