PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at May 18, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 5, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran did not present a credible or verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. His hypertension was manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly less than 110, systolic pressure predominantly less than 200, and continuous medication for control, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and folliculitis, as well as his claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his left knee disorder and a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and hypertension, with both issues now pending on their merits. Service connection was granted for PTSD based on evidence showing a diagnosis related to in-service combat exposure. The claim for hypertension is still pending as there is no indication that it is caused by Agent Orange exposure or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds a remand necessary to obtain VA treatment records and provide the Veteran with a new VA psychiatric examination for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms align with the DSM-IV criteria and his in-service stressors are credible. The claim was reopened due to new evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has these conditions that began during active service or are related to an incident of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or COPD, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, chronic headaches, and TDIU are still pending. The psychiatric claim is in progress with a reopened status due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the chronic headaches claim remains in progress. The TDIU claim is also in progress.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a TDIU is July 6, 2006, as it was factually ascertainable that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD from this date onward.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional clinical treatment records and a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, effective August 5, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity are not sufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 29, 2004 and was increased to 70 percent effective October 13, 2011. The initial rating of 30 percent prior to July 10, 2007 is maintained.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, given his education and occupational background, from June 19, 2004, to December 13, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 4, 2005 and denied for a higher rating. On and after February 4, 2005, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.