PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue, requiring further action by the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and arthritis need further development to ensure all relevant evidence is considered. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the North Little Rock, Arkansas RO.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 8, 1999. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, which caused or contributed to his death by suicide, warrants service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective from August 7, 2009. The rating reflects moderate symptoms such as difficulty in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide an updated examination for his PTSD. The issues of increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are part of the same claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in a severe impairment in his ability to obtain or retain employment, preventing him from obtaining gainful employment outside of protected environments. The VA assigned an initial evaluation of 30% for PTSD effective January 31, 1985.

The Board dismissed the appeal on the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for PTSD remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted with a 20 percent initial rating. The Board also found that the criteria for a staged rating of 60 percent were met beginning December 11, 2007. However, his TDIU claim is not adjudicated as it has not been previously addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence had not been received. The issue of service connection for alcoholism, claimed as secondary to psychiatric disability, was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating effective March 18, 2011. Prior to that date, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were established and linked to his PTSD, granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent or higher for his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and cannabis dependence has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in March 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 15, 2006. The VA finds that the condition results in reduced reliability and productivity but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral knee disability, and skin disability. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition. For his bilateral knee disability, there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to current symptoms.

The Board is remanding the claim for service connection for PTSD to determine if there was a pre-existing condition that existed prior to military service and whether it worsened during or as a result of active duty.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the January 2000 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, other than anxiety and depression, are related to his service-connected anxiety disorder. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.