PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 23, 2008. Prior to that date, the rating was increased from 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending due to the need for updated evidence and an examination. The RO has been instructed to obtain all relevant records, including treatment from the Vet Center and any accident reports.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe symptoms including continuous depressed and anxious mood, suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control with rage, social isolation, strained relationships, poor attention and concentration, frequent panic attacks, limited insight, personal hygiene issues, and PTSD symptoms described as 'severe'. He has occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Veteran is granted a 70 percent disability rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and clarification of his representation. The issues of service connection for PTSD, depression, and COPD are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from Dr. Wasserman, to determine if he served in Vietnam and whether his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe symptoms including anxiety, depression, insomnia, anger, irritability, decreased energy, panic attacks occurring several times a day, three suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation recurring periodically. The evidence shows that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD beginning February 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since February 2007. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not demonstrate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from Dr. Hoeper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor, and the current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial PTSD rating was denied, with the RO finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating prior to April 29, 2003. From April 29, 2003, to August 14, 2005, he continued to receive a 30 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as to ensure that all relevant records are associated with his claims file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to a personal assault she experienced during her service in the Navy, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to service and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is no legal entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 21, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and right hand disability were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew it in writing prior to a decision being issued.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating from May 30, 2008 to March 25, 2010. The Veteran has also met the criteria for TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's death was caused by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, specifically his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise on whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from aspiration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unemployable, and thus grants a TDIU rating.