PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, namely PTSD. The Veteran's experiences in Vietnam are consistent with the environment he served in and his accounts of what he was exposed to have been consistent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 30 percent since January 28, 2008. The current rating is based on the criteria for PTSD under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral upper extremity and left lower extremity numbness, were denied. The Board found that there was no competent evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 12, 2008. The Board has also granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure full compliance with the duty to assist, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A heart disability examination is also required.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis meeting DSM-IV criteria. The claim for hearing loss is reopened, but service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent effective from August 6, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease.

The VA granted a staged initial evaluation of 30 percent for PTSD, effective from May 5, 2004. The appellant's claim was denied for higher evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a comprehensive PTSD examination. The issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for service-connected PTSD is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected conditions, effective December 17, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied due to lack of a verified in-service stressor. New evidence received since the previous denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim received before October 12, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was pending at the time of his death, but there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The Board cannot consider medical evidence received after the date of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary alcohol and cocaine dependence was rated at 30 percent from July 16, 2001, to October 5, 2003, and at 70 percent beginning October 6, 2003. The appeal for an increased rating is granted.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective February 5, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The PTSD issue is remanded for a new VA examination to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.