PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board found no confirmed clinical diagnosis of PTSD and denied the claim for service connection. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in a separate REMAND.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred on or aggravated during active service, and his DM is considered a direct result of the Veteran's service. The Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of grant of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by moderate symptomatology and a mild to moderate response to medication, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression, as well as back disorder are still under consideration.

The Board has determined that the current evidence is insufficient to establish a service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 26, 2006. The Board finds that the disability picture most closely approximates a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board has been rescheduled due to transportation issues. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by avoidant behavior, decreased participation in activities, intolerance of crowds, intrusive memories, nightmares, sleep disturbances, irritability, hypervigilance, startles responses, anxiety, temper problems, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating. His symptomatology results in occupational and social impairment of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from August 12, 2009. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression, is currently rated at 70 percent since April 11, 2011. The Board has also granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for headaches and a higher evaluation for PTSD. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied as there were no pending requests for service connection prior to February 13, 2004, when the Veteran filed his claim. The claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD is being remanded.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking to substitute in the appeal for his service connection claims for PTSD, bladder cancer, and a nerves disorder. The case is being remanded for further development on substitution eligibility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than a personality disorder, related to his military service. The evidence of record does not support a finding of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder being incurred in or aggravated by service.

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

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 12, 2004, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board granted an effective date of November 24, 1999 for a 50 percent disability evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claims for back disability, neurological disabilities of the hands and lower extremities, and heart disability were all found to be supported by evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on his combat experience in Vietnam.