PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 16, 2009. The VA examiner found the Veteran's symptoms to be consistent with reduced reliability and productivity due to anxiety, nightmares, impaired sleep, near continuous depression, disturbances of motivation and mood, some neglect in personal appearance, a progressive decrease in work efficiency, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 10, 2009 for a higher 70 percent rating for PTSD and depression is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcoholism, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the evidence shows total occupational and social impairment warranting a 100 percent rating effective February 9, 2010.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the appellant's service-connected PTSD, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, PTSD, hemorrhoids, bilateral knee condition, headache disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than anxiety disorder, which was previously evaluated as PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA medical records and scheduling a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of moderate to severe symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood.,PTSD has prevented the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as his symptoms are related to in-service stressors and he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's death was found to be due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes, PTSD, multiple skin disorders, hypertension, and urinary changes. The Board determined that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether these conditions caused him to require aid and attendance from another person, thus granting special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with Generalized Anxiety Disorder is due to service and grants service connection for these conditions. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a lung condition due to lack of verified in-service stressors and no evidence linking the conditions to service, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service in Vietnam and supported by credible evidence. The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD due to fear of hostile military action during his time in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total social and occupational impairment, but rather indicated reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the appeal for service connection for residuals of a bilateral ankle disorder and residuals of a bilateral knee disorder due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA medical records from March 2009 to the present.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 100 percent, effective as of the date of his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are not.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and a service-connected hip condition do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

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