PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 3, 1991. The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating effective January 1, 2001, for his service-connected PTSD and denied the request for an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be readjudicated after all actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD with depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective June 14, 2005. The Veteran's appeal remains before the Board regarding an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a verified stressor and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD. The psychiatric disorder was diagnosed many years after discharge, and there is no evidence of a psychosis within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of current PTSD during the pendency of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for further adjudication of his claims, including the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 26, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms productive of occupational and social impairment most comparable to deficiencies in most areas, including an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The disorder has not been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability, as required for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 21, 2006. Prior to this date, the disability picture associated with his PTSD most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has decided to reconsider the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, and a bilateral knee disorder. The new evidence submitted since the previous denial includes relevant official service department records not previously considered. As such, these claims are reopened. However, no new evidence was found that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient consideration of certain medical evaluations and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The claims are pending.

For the period prior to February 26, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by problems with memory, self-esteem, nightmares, flashbacks, anger, difficulty with relationships, hyperarousal, avoidance symptoms, depression, flashbacks, and isolation.,From February 26, 2009 to January 7, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by difficulty in relationships, hesitant speech with some thought blocking and constricted affect, irritability and depression, panic attacks related to intrusive thoughts, poor concentration and attention, depression, anxiety, and thoughts of unworthiness.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records, as these records may contain relevant evidence for the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD can be decided.