PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, as new and material evidence has been received since the last denial in 1978.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling since October 21, 2009. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU benefits is moot as a total schedular rating has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression and PTSD are service-connected, with the depression being at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment at any time from December 5, 2008. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to obtain additional evidence, including SSA disability records.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional research related to the Veteran's alleged in-service stressors, including a jet crash witnessed by the Veteran during training at White Sands, New Mexico. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but there is no evidence of total occupational and social impairment. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and assigned a noncompensable (0 percent) rating, which the Board finds to be appropriate given his current level of impairment.

The Veteran's appeal involves the effective date for a higher, 100 percent rating for PTSD and whether an earlier decision is final. The Board has determined that further action by the RO is needed to consider if the August 2006 submission constitutes a timely NOD or new and material evidence.

The disability picture associated with the service-connected PTSD approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not in most areas. The Veteran's symptoms affect his social and occupational functioning, including distant relationships with his wife and children, as well as problems interacting with his co-workers.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD and granted service connection for both PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that there is credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a link between current symptoms and those stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased initial disability rating of PTSD, which was previously granted with a 30% rating. The RO has ordered the Veteran to be examined and requested additional records from VA and Social Security Administration.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and squamous cell carcinoma of the right parotid gland with effective date set at August 15, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues are whether he can establish service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD, with the latter not linked to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 14, 2008 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and for a higher initial disability evaluation. The Veteran's claim was not considered as a claim for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal disorder is not service-connected, and the issues of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus are denied.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus with a 10% rating effective March 6, 2004. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as they have been referred back to the RO.