PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and nonservice-connected pension benefits remain on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric or psychological disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder. The claim was based on a direct relationship between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional evidence and conduct an examination for PTSD, as the Veteran's claimed stressors have not been verified. The case will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, the highest rating available for this condition, based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD that began in service or is related to his service. However, the Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected left arm disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining buddy statements and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently found acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment. The TDIU claim will also be evaluated in light of the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.

PTSD rating prior to November 19, 2010 was denied as the disability picture did not meet criteria for a higher rating.,PTSD rating from November 19, 2010 was granted at 70 percent effective date.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection based on in-service combat exposure. Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure, but not for other conditions as they were not diagnosed or related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability found, including PTSD. The Veteran is also to be provided with an opinion regarding whether his current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 5, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms of his PTSD do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination. The issues of PTSD rating and service connection for lumbar fusion are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with depression, and panic attacks, is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation prior to July 10, 2003.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim due to new evidence showing his character of discharge was changed from 'under other than honorable conditions' to 'honorable'. The underlying issue regarding whether this change affects VA benefits is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to June 22, 2009, and the appeal is denied as his current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD was denied by the Board, as the evidence did not show that his symptoms met the criteria for such a rating prior to August 17, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication, including a VA examination to determine the severity of PTSD and whether the Veteran is unemployable due to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the primary symptoms of chronic sleep disturbance, insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, survivor's guilt, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, difficulty concentrating, feelings of detachment, avoidance behaviors, and depression. The Veteran maintains employment, a marriage, and full custody of his grandson.