PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including asking the Veteran to report his employment history and clarifying whether he is currently employed. If unemployed, a VA examination will be conducted to determine if service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining gainful employment.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of PTSD or bipolar disorder, and the Board finds that his psychiatric disabilities are not related to service. The Veteran's diagnoses are attributed to alcohol abuse and personality disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, results in total social and occupational impairment warranting a rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective June 28, 2004. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms as of this date was consistent with a 50 percent rating.

From June 25, 2006 to February 9, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.,Effective from February 10, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from April 12, 2005 to February 5, 2006 and at 50 percent since February 6, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a 100% rating effective January 23, 2007. Service connection was also established for hypertension and diabetes mellitus on the same date.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for PTSD prior to August 13, 2010, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 2009, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate for the period from April 16, 2009 to October 2, 2010. Since October 2, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise or reverse its April 1995 decision, which had denied an earlier effective date for PTSD. The Veteran argued that he should have been diagnosed with PTSD at the time of his initial claims and that this would have resulted in a different outcome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the San Juan, Puerto Rico RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for neurofibromatosis, cancer of the jaw, skin cancer, and hearing loss have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service, including fear of hostile military activity while serving in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in total occupational impairment and near-total social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 50 percent evaluation, which was increased to 70 percent in July 2008. The RO then increased the rating to 100 percent effective May 28, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, require additional development due to the need for medical opinions regarding the adequacy of reported stressors and the etiology of the conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The issue of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities will also be remanded.