PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

Service connection granted for PTSD with an initial evaluation of 50 percent and effective from November 19, 2007. Effective dates denied for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, as new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to fear of hostile military activity during his Vietnam service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including anxiety and PTSD, was incurred in military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was rated at 50 percent prior to July 22, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that although he had a current diagnosis of PTSD, his participation in combat was not demonstrated and his inservice PTSD stressors had not been corroborated.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and inadequate VA examination. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the July 2010 VA examination report and the Veteran's lay statements regarding his psychiatric and heart disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand to gather additional evidence and conduct another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from March 24, 2003 to January 24, 2005; increased to 50 percent effective September 16, 2008; and further increased to 70 percent effective August 11, 2009. The claim for higher ratings remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and further development as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right side of the neck have been withdrawn. The Veteran also withdrew his request to reopen his previously denied service-connection claim for pes planus.,The Veteran's appeal regarding an effective date earlier than February 25, 2008 for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, as it is at least as likely as not incurred in service due to noise exposure. The claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been presented. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to in-service stressors, including fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and determining if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is currently in effect.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed. The appeal is also granted as the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.