PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective January 14, 2009. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 100 percent evaluation, effective October 19, 2009. This represents total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms including grossly inappropriate behavior and a persistent danger of hurting himself or others.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective July 22, 2011. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, were incurred in active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by total occupational and social impairment due to gross impairment in communication, with daily suicidal ideation with history of suicide attempts which, when coupled with extremely poor impulse control, results in his being in persistent danger of hurting himself.,A 70 percent initial evaluation for PTSD was granted effective December 8, 2007. The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent prior to March 4, 2011 and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran agreed with the rating increase from 50 to 70 percent for PTSD and requested that his rating remain at 70 percent, not higher.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a letter explaining the July 2010 amendment of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA audiological and mental health examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to December 14, 2010. The effective date for service connection of PTSD was set back to June 29, 2007 due to reopening of the claim on new evidence. Service connection for fainting spells and tinnitus was denied, but service connection for dysosmia (claimed as loss of smell) was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD results in reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The current 50% disability rating is maintained.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, psychotic disorder, and major depressive disorder, was incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disability, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, pulmonary embolism, and residuals of cold weather injuries to both upper and lower extremities, were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted a 70% disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder as secondary to the Veteran's in-service stressor of witnessing a fellow sailor die due to a skull fracture. The claimant is not entitled to service connection for his neck disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and shrapnel wounds) represent an 80 percent disability rating. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of March 18, 2005 for the award of a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD. The earlier effective date is not warranted as there was no evidence showing he was unemployable solely due to his PTSD prior to this date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for PTSD and right/left knee disorders, but further development is needed to determine if service connection can be established.