PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 5, 2013. Beginning on that date, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities has met the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions and their relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that there are two issues on appeal: service connection for cause of death and nonservice-connected death pension. The appellant is seeking to establish service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which she claims was due to his service-connected PTSD. Further development is needed to provide proper notice and obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's alcohol and substance abuse.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 20, 2009, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the character of the Appellant's service from November 2, 1967 to June 21, 1972 does not constitute a bar to VA benefits due to compelling circumstances.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted, but the disability rating remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to February 27, 2008. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to January 28, 2010 and is now rated at 70 percent. His hypertension remains at a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent as of July 21, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current psychiatric disabilities to his military service. The claim was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms are not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating effective March 5, 2012. The VA has granted an increased evaluation for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the validity of the Veteran's claimed stressors and their relationship to his current psychiatric conditions. The case will be remanded for a VA examination and additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to an administrative error in contacting him. The case will be readjudicated after all relevant records are obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 8, 2007. The Board finds that the current evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disability, as he had been rated totally disabled for less than 10 years prior to his death and did not have a continuous rating of total disability from the date of discharge. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right fifth finger disability is granted. His current 10% rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms, including decreased grip strength and pain.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.