PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The evidence shows that his condition causes significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted. The Veteran does meet criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for headaches and bronchitis. The appellant's diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder have been recognized, leading to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depression with mood-incongruent psychotic features was denied in March 1999 due to lack of medical evidence. The effective date for the grant of service connection is now set at March 2, 1998, based on his informal claim received that day.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD, high triglycerides and cholesterol, chronic obesity, poor blood circulation, dry mouth, Gulf War Syndrome, polyps, gastrointestinal disorder, eye disability, respiratory disorder, heart disease, skin cancer, varicose veins, sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury. The reasons were provided based on the lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran's failure to respond to VA examination requests and incomplete medical records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating to 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms, including social isolation and difficulty in maintaining relationships, are considered in determining the appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressor. The VA examination did not find current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran denied experiencing these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed, including searching naval records for specific incidents and affording the Veteran a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from his period of service was not under dishonorable conditions, thus allowing him to receive VA benefits.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claim for entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder. The remaining claims have been adjudicated and are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, dysthymia with anxiety features, and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication under both old and revised rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings and earlier effective dates for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance were denied as the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 29, 2004 due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, rated at 30 percent disabling effective October 31, 2006. The appeal for higher ratings is not addressed as the grant of a higher rating does not constitute a full grant of the benefit sought.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective July 30, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his PTSD and to decide the issue of TDIU. The current level of disability is at issue, so a contemporaneous examination is necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.,However, his vision disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected cerebrovascular accident.