PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran has been shown to have an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified that is related to his military service, and the Board granted this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has been granted a 50 percent disability evaluation, effective June 27, 2008. The evidence shows significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that there is no credible supporting evidence of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and thus, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it meets the DSM-IV criteria and was caused by his active military service.,Bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence. The claims for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria established in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a).

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder, but denied reopening of the peptic ulcer disease claim. The Veteran is currently rated at 50% for PTSD with anxiety disorder from October 6, 2003 to November 14, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a travel Board hearing at the RO and deciding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's combat experience in Vietnam is consistent with his symptoms. Service connection was denied for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 30% since November 20, 2009. The Board finds that an even higher 50% rating is warranted as of November 20, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a 70 percent rating effective October 18, 2007. A 100 percent rating is in effect since February 10, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 28, 2008 and increased to 100 percent effective June 1, 2010.,PTSD is currently rated based on its total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, an effective date prior to January 28, 2003, and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural defects.

The Board has determined that the Veteran timely perfected an appeal to the Board with respect to the denial of service connection for PTSD in July 2003, making the decision not final and the claim still pending on appeal.

For the period from April 9, 2008, to July 21, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.,Throughout the appeal period, the evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptomatology that more closely approximates total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of his VA benefits due to his dementia diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or psychosis and the Board found that the Veteran did not have a disease or injury in active service that resulted in these conditions.