PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible evaluation (100%) from December 1, 2001 to April 3, 2011. The effective date for this rating is set at August 8, 2002.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, a left knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were granted. The Veteran was also awarded the Global War on Terrorism Medal.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 30 percent prior to October 30, 2009 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. Bilateral hearing loss was not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and a skin condition and scar, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's claimed stressors occurred during service and if they are related to his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher ratings for PTSD, with the Board finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent from October 6, 1998 through October 31, 2001 and a rating in excess of 70 percent from November 1, 2001.

The Board finds by a clear preponderance of the evidence that service connection for a back disability is not warranted. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD includes all acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. However, there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to his request, and the issues of reopening PTSD service connection and entitlement to bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts with blindness of the left eye are pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral pes planus have been granted, with service connection established based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent disability evaluation, effective February 12, 1999. This decision resolves the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to June 21, 2004.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from December 18, 2009. The skin disorder claim remains pending as service connection has not been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The May 2008 rating decision restored the effective date of a permanent and total disability rating for PTSD to January 5, 1998.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination to assess his employment capacity.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck pain, spasms, and headaches are not related to his service injury in 2001. The claim for residuals of a neck injury was denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability during service or continuity of symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, mood disorder, and sleep maintenance disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to clarify diagnoses and determine whether any current psychiatric disability was incurred in or as a result of active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his employability and the impact of his service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed again after a medical examination.