PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The current rating of 50 percent is not sufficient to reflect the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and a TDIU remains pending due to the RO's failure to grant his full appeal. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder, are related to his military service. The evidence shows an acute schizophrenic episode during active duty and a consistent diagnosis of various psychiatric conditions since separation from service.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or retain employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, has been reopened. The original denial of mood disorder with psychotic features remains in effect as the new evidence does not relate to this specific condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to the RO for further action. The bilateral hearing loss issue is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD was incurred as a result of an in-service personal assault, specifically a rape incident during service. The evidence supports this conclusion and meets all criteria for granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for posttraumatic stress disorder have been denied. The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder arose no earlier than March 2007, with the award of service connection being granted on February 7, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling from March 8, 2005 to June 21, 2009 and 50 percent disabling thereafter. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating, service connection, and reopening of previously denied claims have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain SSA records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's depressive reaction and PTSD have been manifested by sleep impairment, hypervigilance, depression, memory loss, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, irritability, anger, social isolation, diminished interest in activities, and difficulty establishing and maintaining work and social relationships. The Board finds that the current level of disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and ensuring all pertinent Federal records are associated with the claims file. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is on appeal, as is his petition to reopen a claim for service connection for depression.

Between January 31, 2008 and August 8, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms that produced occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The appellant was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD between January 31, 2008 and August 8, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claims for pilonidal cyst and PTSD are pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, dermatitis, cardiovascular disease, heart disability, muscle pain, and joint pain prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood have been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since December 17, 2009, due to impairment of short and long term memory, impaired judgment, depressed mood, sleep impairment, anxiety, and disturbances of motivation and mood resulting in reduced reliability and productivity due to social and occupational impairment.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge from October 1969 to June 1972 constituted a bar to VA benefits, and denied all service connection claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his disability does not warrant a higher evaluation as he did not meet the criteria for total disability due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The VA has determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current criteria.