PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD should be October 17, 2006, based on new and material evidence received after a previous denial in February 2003.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent and later increased to 70 percent effective January 12, 2007. He also received a TDIU award effective the same date.,PTSD rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 8, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD to support the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The case will also be reviewed to determine if he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without aid.

The Board denied service connection for narcotic addiction as secondary to a service-connected left shoulder disability and found no causal relationship between hyperkeratotic lesions on the plantar surfaces of both feet and service. The Veteran's claims for TDIU were also addressed in the remand portion, but are not included in this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain a head injury in service and does not currently have a disability manifested by headaches or tinnitus. The claim for PTSD was remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an examination and address his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to the underlying cause of his death, which was CAD. The Board finds that this contribution is due to the aggravation of his pre-existing CAD by his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prior to January 8, 2008 is characterized by chronic symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and major depressive disorder. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD was granted on March 27, 2007 based on the findings of an August 2007 VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to service and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with depression as a significant contributing factor. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD substantially contributed to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating prior to March 1, 2011. From March 1, 2011 onwards, his PTSD was rated at 70 percent. The Board denied both issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case to the Regional Office for additional development regarding service connection for PTSD and a chronic wound.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a current rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and the evidence did not support his pending claims for PTSD and depression. The appeal is denied.