PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 20, 2007 and increased to 70 percent effective August 30, 2016. The TDIU was granted prior to the increase in PTSD rating.,PTSD symptoms have caused significant occupational impairment throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 23, 1985. Prior to October 24, 2014, his service-connected disabilities alone did not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's total combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied as he did not have a current diagnosis of such condition. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU were also addressed but are deferred until the examinations have been completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying the Veteran's in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected TBI and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 8, 2012. Since then, the rating has been increased to 50 percent effective March 8, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a missed VA examination. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms may have worsened since his last examination, so another examination is needed.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 70 percent for the period prior to January 9, 2015. He also has a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.,PTSD was withdrawn from appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of increased rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest date of service connection is January 28, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, clarifying employment status, and scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the appeal is remanded for several issues, including a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for the cause of death, and nonservice-connected death pension benefits. The Veteran's claims file will be forwarded to an appropriate examiner for review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings, as well as his request to sever service connection for PTSD with MDD. The issues included various musculoskeletal conditions, a psychiatric disorder, and skin disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have been manifested by symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, occasional intrusive thoughts and nightmares (once per month), avoidance, hypervigilance, and an exaggerated startle response. The Veteran had generally satisfactory functioning with good family relationships and friends and a variety of social activities prior to May 12, 2015. Since then, the symptoms have included difficulty understanding complex commands, mild memory impairment, impaired abstract thinking, mood disturbances, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from September 2, 2009 through July 29, 2015 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.