PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and left arm disability were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD but not for the left arm disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service sexual assault is corroborated by service records and establishes a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, with an effective date of June 24, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to sleep impairment, nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance, and limited socialization. The Board finds that the disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD meets the criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in loss of employment he had previously held, but his income from self-employment remained above the level for marginal employment and constituted substantial gainful employment. The criteria for a total schedular evaluation are not met prior to May 24, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with notice of what information and evidence is needed to substantiate his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, namely PTSD. The Veteran's experiences in Vietnam are consistent with the environment he served in and his accounts of what he was exposed to have been consistent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 30 percent since January 28, 2008. The current rating is based on the criteria for PTSD under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral upper extremity and left lower extremity numbness, were denied. The Board found that there was no competent evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 12, 2008. The Board has also granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure full compliance with the duty to assist, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A heart disability examination is also required.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis meeting DSM-IV criteria. The claim for hearing loss is reopened, but service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent effective from August 6, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease.

The VA granted a staged initial evaluation of 30 percent for PTSD, effective from May 5, 2004. The appellant's claim was denied for higher evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a comprehensive PTSD examination. The issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for service-connected PTSD is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected conditions, effective December 17, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD.