PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depression, manifested in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and did not develop any gastrointestinal disorder in service or to a disabling degree within the first post-service year. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflects his disability. For the period from March 31, 2004 to April 11, 2010, the Veteran's lumbar spine condition was rated at 20 percent; for the period after August 1, 2010, it was rated at 40 percent. The scars were not compensably rated. No TDIU rating was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, arranging a new examination, and clarifying representation status.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, vision loss, athlete's foot, stomach disorder, right shoulder disorder, and low back disorder has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for PTSD prior to March 2, 2011 and since that date has been denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD remains May 6, 2008.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability prior to April 28, 2010 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was withdrawn. The claims for PTSD, disabilities of the feet, and bilateral knee disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or service connection due to lack of verified stressors. Service connection for major depression was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examination reports and additional medical records. The claims for an increased disability evaluation for PTSD and TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is causally related to his service in Vietnam.,Regarding throat cancer, there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and for a VA examination to address his claims of service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and brain damage with memory loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper duty-to-assist notice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claimed stressors and combat experience.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination for his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also being considered as part of the higher rating claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing pertinent records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as there is no legal basis to grant such a request given the finality of his previous denial and the fact that he did not file an appeal within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent, and the RO increased it to 70 percent effective May 18, 2010. The case is being remanded for additional development including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective September 26, 2007. The claim for TDIU is granted and the effective date is set at September 26, 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination to assess his PTSD. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with PTSD traits and alcohol/cocaine abuse in remission, is not due to or aggravated by service.