PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 4, 2009. The Board found that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted due to the severity of symptoms including suicidal ideation and social isolation.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending due to the need for a proper initial disability evaluation for PTSD. The TDIU claim is held in abeyance until this issue is resolved.

The Board has found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder more closely approximates a 70 percent disability rating, warranting an initial evaluation higher than 50 percent for his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, has been remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded to the RO/AMC for further development, including consideration of a revised regulation and obtaining additional medical records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine if the Veteran has PTSD related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 10, 2005 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The earliest evidence showing entitlement to this benefit is dated from August 16, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since April 17, 2008. He is also granted TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain relevant medical records and a new opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 60%, which does not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, he was found to be unemployable due to non-service-connected factors (divorce and stress), and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right thigh scars and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim of entitlement to service connection for right thigh scars was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The claim for PTSD was denied due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include schizophrenia; and a chronic skin rash, to include as due to herbicide exposure in service are denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have any combat experience there, nor was he exposed to herbicides during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records, including VA and private clinical documentation of the Veteran's psychiatric treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, thus granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. He is currently rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent for PTSD since August 12, 2011.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD has not been submitted, as the appellant's previous claims were denied due to pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was granted service connection. The claim for galactorrhea is pending and will be decided based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including requesting SSA records and service personnel records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and providing the Veteran with notice of his rights under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(5).