PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The claims for an initial increase in PTSD rating and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent, and his back strain disability was granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective January 21, 2010. The ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left legs remain at 10 percent.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities are sufficient by themselves to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder and PTSD are likely to have had their onset during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, trouble sleeping, intrusive thoughts, and altered mood, resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The current rating of 30 percent is maintained prior to April 30, 2008, but a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and an examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The TDIU claim is also being considered.

The Veteran's claim of TDIU is being remanded due to an intertwined issue with service connection for fibromyalgia secondary to PTSD. The RO must also obtain updated VA treatment records and provide the Veteran with notice of any denial or expiration of appeal period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by symptoms such as slow speech, occasional psychomotor retardation, limited insight, a depressed mood, a constricted affect, nightmares, sleep difficulties, occasional suicidal ideation without a plan, and social isolation. The Board denied the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to September 15, 2005, but granted a 50 percent evaluation since that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is due to disease or injury incurred in service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for cardiovascular disease and PTSD.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU award, finding that the effective date of November 1, 2009 is appropriate as it marks the point at which he became unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a 10% evaluation effective November 30, 2005. The effective date of this award is the earliest allowable under law.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 26, 2007 is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records and providing a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by sleep impairment, pressured speech, poor memory, blunted affect, impaired judgment and insight, anxiety and panic attacks, and loss of motivation. The Board has determined that the criteria for a rating of 70 percent have been met from October 30, 2006 onward.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from August 30, 2006. The RO has granted service connection for PTSD but denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD attributable to his in-service combat exposure and grants this aspect of his appeal. His claims for increased rating for right shoulder disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it is related to his in-service experiences, including convoy missions where he was under threat of enemy attack and IEDs.