PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 27, 2010 and 50 percent beginning on that date. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for either period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressor. The Veteran is now granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 18, 2009. The evidence shows occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Disorder has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms most nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post concussion syndrome with headaches and dizziness, disfiguring forehead scarring, PTSD, and left knee disability, do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and opinions regarding service connection for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for a necessary VA examination and thus there is no legal entitlement to service connection. For the issue of increased rating for postoperative residuals of surgical removal of left exostosis talus, the Veteran's failure to appear for a necessary VA examination resulted in denial.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized for the entire period on appeal by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case to consider additional evidence and determine if a higher disability rating for PTSD is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete development and compliance with VCAA requirements. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, is REMANDED.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and pain disorder, was found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to January 1, 2009. Since then, it has met the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's skin disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU effective July 25, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 18, 2008. The evidence does not support a finding of total social and occupational impairment due to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 18, 2004. The appeal for a higher rating is denied as the disability does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and lumbar spine disorder are being remanded.