PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, major depression, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, has been reopened. The evidence now supports a finding that the current psychiatric disorders are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records from his former employer at Dow Chemical and conducting a social and industrial survey.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is based on evidence that meets the direct service connection criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and his TDIU claim due to conflicts in the evidence regarding the severity of his PTSD symptoms. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70% for PTSD was denied, and the appeal for service connection for a breathing problem secondary to coronary artery disease was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms including panic attacks, nightmares, and mild memory impairment. The VA determined that the current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The decision is based on the evidence of record and the lack of specific records from Dr. K.A.P.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from August 22, 2005 to July 11, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with VCAA-compliant notice.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of extra-schedular considerations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing a corrective VCAA notice and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from June 27, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 20, 2007, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the legal requirements for TDIU prior to April 25, 2008.

The Veteran's service records confirm he served in Vietnam and experienced enemy gunfire, mortar attacks, and artillery attacks. His lay testimony alone may establish the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors under the new liberalizing regulation for PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for a current Axis 1 diagnosis of PTSD, but Dr. R.M., psychologist, opined that he has a diagnosis of PTSD due to his in-service stressors. Therefore, the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to moderate social and occupational impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to military sexual trauma (MST) he experienced during service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and any pertinent VA or private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 4, 2001. The Board has granted an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and denied the TDIU claim.