PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective August 2, 2002. The Board affirms this rating as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level of 100 percent, effective from November 16, 2000.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional information from the Veteran regarding his claimed stressor and providing him with VA medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in areas such as work, family relations, thinking and mood. Effective August 29, 2007, the Veteran is rendered unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and anxiety and anxiety disorder NOS, are related to her service in the Persian Gulf War. The claim for PTSD is denied due to lack of a diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 14, 2011. Prior to that date, the initial rating of 30 percent was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depression and right hand disability do not result in an inability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied an extraschedular evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD from February 23, 2011, forward.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further development, including an employability examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and panic attacks with suicidal ideation, resulting in occupational and social impairment in most areas. The Board finds a uniform 70 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder are all found to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since February 22, 2008. The rating of 70 percent is granted for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, as he was not rated totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities for at least 10 continuous years immediately preceding his death. The claim for accrued benefits based on pending claims to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for any back condition and heart disease has also been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 19, 2008, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her in-service stressors. The decision is based on direct service connection due to the presence of a diagnosed condition (PTSD) and an established link between symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability, an acquired respiratory disability (blastomycosis), and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that could lead to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressor. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code is denied because the appellant reached her 26th birthday before the effective date of the permanent total service-connected disability rating.

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