PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of symptoms such as a depressed mood, anxiety, weekly panic attacks, and nightmares, resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic PTSD is etiologically related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus. The issues of entitlement to a TDIU have been referred to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and additional development is required before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depression, avoidance, isolation, panic attacks, auditory hallucinations, irritability, and paranoia. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 30 percent disabling prior to May 16, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms warranted a higher evaluation of 70 percent effective from May 16, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain outstanding VA outpatient treatment records and to afford the Veteran a VA examination for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's in-service stressors have been verified, and his lay testimony alone may establish the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressor. Therefore, the Veteran is granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and alcohol dependence were treated during hospitalization from May 27, 2008 to June 19, 2008. The VA has granted a temporary total rating for this period based on the treatment provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and traumatic amputation of the fingers, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 26, 1997 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was originally filed on that date and his stressors were verified by newly submitted service records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 70 percent, and he is found to be unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 30, 2009. The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD and awarded TDIU due to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The Board found that his PTSD symptoms warranted a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and issuing a Statement of the Case on his claim for an increased evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of recent changes in regulations regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues are whether he should receive a temporary total evaluation due to bilateral hearing loss and if his PTSD warrants a disability rating higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran was awarded a 100% disability evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder effective from April 25, 2003. The appellant's claim of entitlement to Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefits was received on November 25, 2008. VA cannot pay benefits prior to November 25, 2007 due to the one-year rule.