PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his diagnosis of PTSD is supported by competent medical evidence and related to an in-service personal assault and fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal). The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met or approximated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing and the need to determine if transportation or videoconference capabilities can be arranged.

The VA determined that the appellant's PTSD did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent from October 13, 2005 to January 10, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and residuals of shell fragment wounds, are found to be severe enough to prevent him from securing or maintaining employment. The Board grants the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left foot disability resulting from cold weather injury in service, and tinnitus) is 80 percent. This does not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and clarification of his Social Security Administration benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest available level of disability, a 70 percent evaluation, due to significant occupational and social impairment. The left varicocele is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. She was unable to establish and maintain effective work and social relationships, perform activities of daily living (intermittently), maintain effective family role functioning, maintain any long term employment, or perform recreation or leisure pursuits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but without total occupational and social impairment. The disability is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD, differentiate symptoms attributed to PTSD from those attributable to other psychiatric disorders, and assess whether he is unemployable due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was upheld, as the disability is already at its maximum schedular level under Diagnostic Code 6260. A separate compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was also denied due to lack of penile deformity.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a final decision can be rendered on the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues related to scars on the head, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, melanoma and dental condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 9, 2009. The Board finds that the disability picture does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse was granted in a July 2011 rating decision. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, which is manifested by symptoms such as depression, irritability, panic attacks, concentration and memory problems, some impairment of relationships with others, reports of suicidal ideation, and difficulty adapting to stressful situations, results in deficiencies in most areas but less than total social and occupational impairment. The criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms, including sleep impairment, nightmares, anxiety, and depression. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.