PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as correction of notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in denying an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran submitted a claim on November 15, 2004. The decision grants an effective date of November 15, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on the issue of an initial compensable disability rating for PTSD and scheduling of a video conference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and whether any such disability is related to service. The examiner must also address the potential stressors claimed by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent prior to December 5, 2012 and increased to 70 percent effective December 5, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of these levels.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder is granted, with the disorders found to be related to in-service stressors and not due to a pre-existing personality disorder.

The Board has ordered additional development to address whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus aggravated his diagnosed depressive disorder, and to obtain treatment records from the Richmond VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since April 8, 2011. The lung disorder and fainting spells are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning. His hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than posttraumatic stress disorder) is not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter, nor is it the result of any incident or incidents of his period of active military service. Therefore, his claim for service connection must be denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 31, 2011. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right eye disability and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, were granted with an effective date of March 8, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing before a member of the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since June 4, 2008. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and confirming stressors.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, meeting the threshold for a schedular TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing appropriate notice in response to the claim for service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits is being remanded due to the worsening of his PTSD, which may affect his ability to maintain suitable employment. The VA needs to conduct a new evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor or counseling psychologist to determine if he has an employment handicap.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and other issues.