PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The rating for migraine headaches remains at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The Veteran's request is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU prior to March 11, 2009 and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lung disability was withdrawn. The claim of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that proper VCAA notice was not provided to the appellant regarding her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The case is being remanded to provide this necessary notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records and conduct a VA examination for PTSD. The issues of service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for bipolar disorder, and TDIU will be adjudicated after the completion of these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent since January 18, 2008. He is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD and dysthymia are service-connected, with the dysthymia being a symptom of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD disability has been rated at 70 percent since February 16, 2011. Prior to that date, the rating was 50 percent. The Veteran is also considered unemployable due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal involves the rating of PTSD and an effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The issues are about whether he should receive higher ratings for PTSD, as well as when his eligibility for a total disability rating should begin.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, knee, skin, psychiatric, and left ankle disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The claim for peripheral neuropathy was not addressed due to the absence of a specific request.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and agoraphobia has been granted a disability rating of 100 percent, the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board granted an effective date of September 2, 2005 for the award of TDIU. The Veteran was deemed unemployable due to service-connected PTSD on that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a schedular evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence does not show that the Veteran currently suffers from PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to his active duty service.

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