PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has not caused total occupational and social impairment at any time during the pendency of his claim, thus he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective February 26, 2009. The VA examiner found the Veteran to have occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as nightmares, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, depression, irritability, hypervigilance, and social withdrawal.

The Veteran is appealing the initial evaluation for his PTSD, which was initially set at 30 percent and then reduced to 10 percent. The appeal is now limited to reviewing the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and military records.

The Veteran's PTSD and right ankle disability were granted effective from November 4, 2004. The TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of April 14, 2003.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective February 14, 2005. The RO has not assigned an effective date for the other disabilities as they are part of a single claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide whether the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is related to in-service sexual trauma. Further development is needed.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain unit history and misconduct reports from Parris Island.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD was increased from 10 to 30 percent in September 2007, and then further increased to 50 percent effective December 10, 2002. The Board previously denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the issues have therefore been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep disorder is considered part of his service-connected PTSD. The claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches, hypertension, and knee conditions are denied. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased PTSD ratings was partially successful with a 70% evaluation being granted as of May 9, 2012. The claims for bilateral shoulder condition and residuals of left ankle injury (to include the left leg) were denied. Service connection for lower back condition was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to this disability. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a DRO hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD), and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability will be reconsidered.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disability to include PTSD, and the right shoulder disorder was not shown to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's schizophrenia, PTSD, and anxiety disorder NOS were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder NOS were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, leading to a 70 percent disability rating. The Board found that the Veteran's occupational and social impairment is most closely approximated by reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, were denied as there is no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor or service connection based on direct causation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.