PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder with TBI residuals, to include cognitive disorder, have been rated at 70 percent since January 16, 2009. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in January 2010. Service connection is granted for bilateral wrist and ankle disorders but not for bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than depressive disorder), to include PTSD, prior to a Board decision. As such, the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective September 15, 2010. The rating reflects total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and a request for further investigation into an aircraft accident at Don Muang Airport (Thailand) in 1966.

The Veteran's acquired mental and cognitive disorders, NOS, residual of TBI have been rated at 50 percent prior to September 7, 2011.,Since September 7, 2011, the Veteran has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the effect of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify an in-service stressor. The Board will attempt to gather additional information from the U.S. Army and JSRRC.

For the period prior to February 26, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. A 50 percent rating was granted effective February 26, 2009.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since the grant of service connection. The appeal for a higher initial evaluation was denied as there is no evidence that the current rating adequately reflects the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of service connection, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was found not to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation from October 29, 2007 to October 5, 2014. From October 6, 2014 onwards, his PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to a verified in-service stressor, and service connection for PTSD is granted. However, there is no evidence of current hepatitis or its residuals.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and anxiety have been reopened, but service connection has not been established. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with MDD has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private treatment records. A VA examination is also required to determine whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to alleged in-service assaults.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent effective December 28, 2007 for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling prior to December 7, 2013. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from his treatment providers at the Boston Veterans Outreach Center and Dr. Naomi Lamb.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the Veteran's current psychiatric disability and determine its etiology, including considering his long history of alcoholism.