PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic brain injury, and a compensable rating for migraine headaches. The Veteran will need new examinations to determine the etiology of his psychiatric condition, assess the current severity of his traumatic brain injury, and evaluate his migraine symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating effective June 23, 2004. The appeal is granted for an initial 50% rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine if the Veteran currently has PTSD and whether it is related to his service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this condition.

An initial evaluation of 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted, effective December 26, 2010.,An initial evaluation of 70 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted, effective November 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, service connection, and rating have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's current 30 percent evaluation for PTSD is insufficient to reflect his worsening symptoms, including increased nightmares and anxiety issues. The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under applicable criteria.,PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and a higher rating of 70 or 100 percent is denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on PTSD alone.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD and TDIU was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not meet criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further action on the SMC and PTSD rating claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses and their relation to service. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if he has PTSD or other acquired psychiatric conditions, and whether these are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran also received a grant for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% disability rating from February 3, 1988 to November 3, 2003. The effective date for this rating is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as the evidence did not establish an in-service stressor event. The Board found that while the Veteran had been diagnosed with PTSD, there was insufficient evidence to corroborate the claimed events.,Service connection for hypertension due to service-connected disease or injury was also denied because the Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is currently rated at 50 percent disabling beginning May 6, 2011. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran would have been in receipt of a TDIU for at least 10 years preceding his death due to service-connected PTSD, had the effective date of his TDIU not been incorrectly assigned. The Board has now granted entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.