PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues regarding his PTSD rating: one for a period from June 25, 2004 to June 1, 2006 and another from June 2, 2006 through March 31, 2010. The RO has granted service connection but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings within these periods.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to April 9, 2007. The evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The appellant's claim is now before the Board again.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and thus, service connection cannot be granted for this condition.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is found to be causally related to his service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by significant impairment in work and social functioning, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining necessary information.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is granted as the evidence supports a finding of direct service connection based on his combat experience.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disorders related to service. The issue of cerebral vascular accident (stroke) secondary to ischemic heart disease is also inextricably intertwined with the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the requirements for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to reschedule a Travel Board Hearing due to his failure to appear for the previously scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lay accounts of experiencing military sexual trauma during service are credible, and two different VA psychologists have provided diagnoses of PTSD as a result of an in-service stressor involving military sexual trauma. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD based on military sexual trauma is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration and the United States Postal Service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including suicidal ideations, isolation, sleep impairment, depression and anxiety, irritability and anger, and inability to establish effective relationships, have been found to warrant a higher rating of 70 percent. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal involves two distinct periods of service-connected PTSD. For the period from September 9, 2003 to March 18, 2008, he was granted a 70 percent rating. For the subsequent period, he seeks an increased rating higher than 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and determining whether the Veteran's FMLA leave was related to his PTSD. The issue of evaluating PTSD from July 18, 2009 will be considered.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, is rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective September 6, 2006. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 6, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service connected as it is related to a verified in-service stressor event, specifically witnessing the death of a fellow soldier during live fire training exercise.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service department or other governmental records possibly corroborating the Veteran's account of her sexual assault during military service.