PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 13, 2007. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, constant nightmares, disturbances of motivation and mood, increased anxiety, irritability, anger, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and DIC benefits are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective February 1, 1993. The Board found that the disability has resulted in definite social and industrial impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially evaluated at a 10 percent prior to July 8, 2008. As of that date, the evaluation increased to 50 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is related to or had its onset in service, including as secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's right ankle disability was also considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 9, 2003. The VA examiner noted symptoms such as intrusive thoughts and avoidance of military themes in media.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Veteran served in Okinawa, Japan, and Korea but not in Vietnam where Agent Orange exposure is presumed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and an evaluation of his ability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU remain before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are etiologically related to his military service, including his time in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder and denied the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his disability picture does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as a freestanding claim for an earlier effective date, finding that the June 2003 rating decision is final and there remain no other matters for consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA records and affording the Veteran a VA examination to determine his current level of occupational and social impairment due to PTSD. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD and the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability will be adjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and anxiety disorder with alcohol dependence are currently evaluated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizophrenia, were not incurred in service or due to a presumptive exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression caused occupational and social deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood from May 6, 2005 to August 31, 2008. From September 1, 2008 forward, the Veteran's PTSD causes total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran was unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD since he first filed his claim for service connection in May 2005.