PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of no more than 50 percent prior to September 6, 2011 and a rating of 70 percent since that date. The Veteran does not have service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper or lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the claimed in-service stressor was not verified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressors did not occur during service and have not been verified. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as he has a current diagnosis and the stressors are found to be credible.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available under the criteria for PTSD. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 3, 2008. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 28, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and awarded an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD, but no higher. The Veteran's symptoms of PTSD have been found to be moderate in nature, warranting the current 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and thus, service connection for such condition is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is not attributable to or related to service.,The Veteran's hernia condition, diagnosed as a hiatal hernia, is not attributable to or related to service.,The Veteran's kidney stones are not attributable to or related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted from April 17, 2006 due to service-connected PTSD and other disabilities meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The effective date of December 31, 2009 is incorrect as evidence shows unemployability prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is linked to noise exposure during active service, while left ear hearing loss is not established. The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a DRO hearing and obtaining VA treatment records. Additionally, the Veteran needs to be scheduled for VA examinations of his right knee, wrist, back, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the AOJ to consider additional medical evidence and issue a decision on his claims of increased evaluations for PTSD and TBI.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective March 25, 2011. The Board found that the evidence was approximately evenly balanced as to whether the level of impairment caused by PTSD most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas (70% rating), but not total occupational and social impairment (100% rating).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but does not result in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.