PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective August 14, 2005, due to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, as diagnosed by VA mental health professionals based on his reported experiences in Vietnam. The benefit-of-the-doubt is resolved in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 21, 2004. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the symptoms have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus no evaluation was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for service connection and increased ratings are not addressed in the decision. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disorder, initial increased rating for PTSD, initial increased rating for left shoulder scar (prior to June 11, 2011), and initial increased rating for dyshidrosis have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective January 23, 1989. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is found to have been productive of a disability picture that more closely resembled occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an increased evaluation of 50 percent prior to April 9, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested by suicidal ideation, chronic sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts and recollections, nightmares, irritability and anger, anxiety, hypervigilance, poor concentration, social isolation, panic attacks, 'hearing things/voices,' an inability to establish relationships, and occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted as of January 11, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, specifically regarding verification of claimed stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining the Veteran's service personnel records and attempting to obtain missing treatment records from the 1980s.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the claimed conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial increased evaluation for PTSD, a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and a restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus. The reduction from 10 to zero percent for tinnitus was found to be proper.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for PTSD, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to be manifested by grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting himself or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living due to impaired ability to focus and concentrate, as well as memory loss for names of close relatives. This more nearly approximates total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and the current severity of his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further development and consideration. The issues include an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to encompass all psychiatric disorders and is remanding for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any currently present acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The revised 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f) (3) will be considered in determining service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome is service-connected, with an effective date of February 26, 2007.,Service connection for PTSD was granted but the earlier effective date claim was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling updated VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records.