PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development must be accomplished prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is REMANDED to the AMC/RO to schedule a Travel Board hearing before a member of the Board at the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and issues related to his claimed stressors. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of an inservice stressor and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves his service-connected PTSD and bladder incontinence. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether he is entitled to a TDIU prior to May 2, 2002, when SSDI was awarded for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but generally functioning satisfactorily.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and PTSD with history of adjustment disorder with anxiety, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating for the period from March 2, 2008, to January 29, 2012.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, Parkinson's disease, CAD, glaucoma, kidney disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and sinusitis is granted due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his military duties and confirming diagnoses of PTSD. The skin disorder is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for verification of a claimed stressor and additional VA treatment records. A VA examination will be scheduled if the stressor is verified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and requesting an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and his service-connected PTSD.

PTSD with alcohol abuse and sleeping problems was initially rated as 50 percent disabling from March 30, 2007 to February 9, 2010. From February 10, 2010 forward, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of at least 70 percent.,Chronic myofascial strain of left trapezius muscle has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining stressor dates for PTSD and seeking VA examinations for his back disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability have been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD related to his combat service in Vietnam, and there is medical evidence linking his current symptoms to this stressor event. For his bilateral hearing loss, the Board finds conflicting opinions but leans towards finding it likely related to noise exposure during service. For low back disability, additional records are needed as the Veteran's post-service treatment history is unclear.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD, rated as 70 percent disabling, makes it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 19, 2009 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The effective date is set at May 16, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated at a 50 percent rating from May 11, 2005 to July 19, 2006. The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for the period prior to June 6, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 2000, effective August 4, 2009. The Board also granted TDIU benefits prior to August 4, 2009.