PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with effective dates prior to December 6, 2004. The Veteran was also awarded a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The evidence received since the previous denial is sufficient to support reopening of this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD was characterized by symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares, intrusive memories, social avoidance, hypervigilance, anger, poor concentration, depression, and past suicidal ideation. For the initial rating period prior to April 27, 2007, the disability met the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating under DC 9411.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA PTSD examination.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating, effective February 18, 2009, based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by moderate symptoms, resulting in moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning. The Board finds that a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent is warranted for the entire period.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not experience combat or engage in Vietnam service and there was no verified stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The residuals of a stab wound to the right arm do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. A scar on the neck was found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD from 30 percent to 50 percent, effective April 5, 2007. The Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated as 30 percent disabling since December 17, 2007. The Board denied a higher initial rating for PTSD and also denied the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD or depression, that was incurred in or aggravated by military service. His reported stressors were not verified and he did not participate in combat.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and issuing a statement of the case regarding the issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The decision found that a current diagnosis of PTSD was not established and that there was no evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed stressors.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify whether the Veteran's alleged sexual assault in service occurred and to determine if her current psychiatric disabilities are related to military service. The case will be remanded for further examination and adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and a new opinion regarding the etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.

The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current PTSD is causally related to his service, specifically his training in a fire and rescue unit during October 1943. The Board has determined that this meets the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, that is service-connected. The evidence did not support a finding that his claimed conditions were incurred in active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and there is credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred. The claim for sarcoidosis is denied due to lack of medical nexus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.