PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD has been linked to an in-service stressor and there is credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board at his local RO. The issues are about entitlement to an effective date earlier than October 20, 2004 and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and conduct examinations related to the Veteran's psychiatric disability, left arm disability, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as there is evidence of a current diagnosis, credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor(s) actually occurred, and a link between current symptomatology and the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, PTSD and a skin disorder has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's unauthorized inpatient treatment for PTSD-related psychiatric issues at Jane Phillips Medical Center was deemed necessary due to the nature of her service-connected condition and the emergent medical situation she faced, meeting the criteria for payment under 38 C.F.R. § 17.120.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was granted and assigned a 30 percent evaluation effective from April 15, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including seeking records of mental health treatment during a specific time period and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and likely etiology of any current mental disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination. The goal is to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for additional development, including scheduling a travel hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective from December 22, 2010. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and impairment caused by the condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was not productive of total occupational and social impairment prior to January 4, 2011. On and after that date, the disability resulted in moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not demonstrate the required symptoms for a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The appeal has been denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires further development, including a new VA examination for PTSD and a request for SSA disability benefits records. The case will be reviewed to determine if an extraschedular TDIU rating is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is not related to his military service and did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and PTSD have been denied. The claim for the former was reopened due to new evidence, but he does not currently meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and that his symptoms are related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.