PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated at a 30 percent rating prior to June 13, 2001. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 13, 2008, due to significant social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 6, 1999 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The RO found that there was no basis to associate current symptoms with a military incident.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 20, 2008 and increased to 50 percent from June 20, 2008 to May 24, 2010. The TDIU claim for the period from June 20, 2008, to May 24, 2010 was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD, as the last examination was from July 2008 and it has been more than three years since then. The Veteran will also be provided with an opportunity to respond after any benefits sought are re-adjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for this disability. The VA determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and cannabis abuse resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The RO granted ratings of 30 percent prior to April 26, 2008, and 50 percent from that date forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to combat experience in Vietnam, and thus meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the claim due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors and because he did not engage in combat.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and a need to comply with notification requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression. The claims for low back disorder, sleep apnea, and unspecified pulmonary disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for further examination and verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for malaria was denied as there is no evidence of active malaria or residuals. The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending and will be addressed in the separate issue.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired anxiety disorder, to include PTSD, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran's claims are being referred back for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is causally linked to his in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA psychiatric outpatient treatment records and a VA psychiatric compensation examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a new VA examination and additional treatment records are needed to properly assess the current severity of the condition.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death and for several other conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.