PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to personal assault and/or MST, finding new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service physical and sexual assault.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and development of the record. The case will be further processed after these actions have been completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing before a Board Member at his local RO in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective February 18, 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70 percent have been met since this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. Specifically, efforts are required to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressors for PTSD, obtain service personnel records for relevant individuals, and request any identified medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, and a left eye disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic PTSD is service-connected as it originated during his active military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on moderate symptoms and occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50%, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Residuals of a traumatic brain injury have also been denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision regarding his TDIU claim. The case is now pending and will be reviewed again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to an increased rating for service-connected right arm disability. The issues were remanded by the Board but not fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 12, 2005. The Board granted a 70 percent rating effective December 7, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI and PTSD have been productive of severe economic inadaptability during the entire claims period, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD does not render him unemployable, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and further review is required.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling effective July 23, 2008. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by depression, anxiety, sleep problems, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, anger outbursts, irritability, hyper startle response, hypervigilance, and social withdrawal. The Veteran has been reasonably groomed with good personal hygiene, fully oriented, alert, cooperative, and maintained good eye contact.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to incomplete development of his claims file, including missing VA treatment records and a need for medical opinions regarding the relationship between his medications and any additional disability.