PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 21, 2011. The appeal for a higher initial evaluation remains before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis disability is found to be the cause of his current bladder, prostate, pancreas, skin and stomach disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be due to fear of hostile military activity during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence has been rated at 70 percent since March 2, 2007. This rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as poor hygiene, anxiety, depression, memory loss, suicidal thoughts, and sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's tension/migraine headaches are manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring one to two times per month, warranting a 30 percent rating. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are related to his active military service. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical records and a psychiatric examination to determine if his PTSD is related to service. The Veteran claims he experienced fear of hostile military activity during his tour in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to a verified in-service personal assault stressor, and he currently has chronic sleep impairment as a symptom of his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a separate sleep disorder or sexual dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is denied as he did not meet the criteria for SMC prior to April 5, 2002.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 15, 2005. His patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date is January 26, 2008, which is the day after his separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records and a psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain, degenerative joint disease and spondylosis was granted effective December 18, 2006. The rating assigned is 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and depression, is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria to establish service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence for his claimed stressor in Canada during service.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent prior to February 10, 2011. Effective February 10, 2011, the Veteran is no longer entitled to a rating in excess of 70 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and adjudicate the TDIU claim. The case will be reviewed for any additional evidence received since the July 2009 supplemental statement of the case.