PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain treatment records from the Warwick Vet Center. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, personality disorder, and PTSD) were granted. Service connection was denied for residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of service records and VA medical records. The Veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with secondary depression and anxiety, shell fragment wound, right chest, and malaria, combine to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for the period from October 26, 2010 to March 12, 2012 and a rating in excess of 70 percent from March 12, 2012. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied an initial compensable disability rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), mood disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability and whether any such disability was incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also finds that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal, including the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to September 7, 2007. The rating was increased to 100 percent effective from September 5, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and mood disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and an increased rating for PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of symptomatology resulting in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further proceedings consistent with the Court's decision in Clemons v. Shinseki, and additional development is needed including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. K.D., service personnel records, and any outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which is a direct result of his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary alcohol abuse and depressive mood disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 30, 2013. The Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for the entire initial rating period prior to December 30, 2013.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD, effective April 27, 2011. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as anxiety, emotional instability, irritability, hypervigilance, reclusive behavior, impaired judgment, panic attacks, frequent sleep troubles, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and GAF scores from 65 to 50.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new VA psychiatric examination and obtaining relevant treatment records.