PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his employability considering all of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to April 7, 2009 and 50 percent from that date. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder due to a bar on VA benefits based on his discharge under conditions other than honorable from April 26, 1971 to October 18, 1972. The character of his service during this period was classified as 'under conditions other than honorable' by the Department of the Army.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. Specifically, a VA examination with a psychologist or psychiatrist is required to determine whether his claimed stressors are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and an audiological examination is necessary to assess the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and residual scar of shrapnel wound between the eyes was granted with effective dates of August 22, 2003. The Board found that the date entitlement arose is August 22, 2003, which is later than the original claim filing date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not manifested during his active military service, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service, and is not shown to have manifested to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year from the date of separation from the military. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is not established.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on peripheral artery disease of the left lower extremity and scars on the left ankle is being remanded to the RO. The Veteran currently has a 50% rating for PTSD, effective November 13, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence concerning his current employment and income status. The Board will need to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent effective October 3, 2012. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent before that date is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and alcohol abuse/dependency are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from various facilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA medical records, including those from the Tampa Vet Center and Tampa VA Medical Center. The claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether his condition is related to service, secondary to other conditions, or caused by medication.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating effective November 22, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD was characterized by symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, avoidance behavior, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder disability, and hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran has requested withdrawal of all issues remaining on appeal, including the initial disability rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete records and the need for an updated VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and consideration, including a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service-connected right ankle disorders. The left ankle claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining information about in-service stressors and attempting to corroborate whether the Veteran served with a Bill Barker who died during his service. The VA examiner is asked to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service, particularly given the Veteran's credible fear of hostile military activity and accidental killing of a Vietnamese child.