PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, right hip arthritis, and secondary service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his reduction in disability rating from 30% to 0% for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis was granted. The appeal is mixed as it includes both a denial and a grant of benefits.

The Board found that the February 2002 decision granting service connection for morbid obesity was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to the lack of a link between PTSD and obesity. As a result, the grant of SMC based on this decision is also considered incorrect.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection, and there is no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature, onset date, and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder(s), specifically whether PTSD is present and related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 26, 2007. This rating is based on the criteria for a disability due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depression with PTSD symptoms, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by suicidal and homicidal ideations, impaired impulse control, intermittent disorientation, memory loss, some difficulty in remembering to complete activity of daily living, resulting in significant but not total social and occupational impairment. The Board finds that a 70 percent initial rating for PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his skin disability. Service connection for PTSD will be considered as part of this expanded claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the provision of a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim has also been raised by the record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for consideration of his claim in light of additional evidence received since the January 2011 statement of the case, and for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case reflecting such consideration. A new VA examination is also required due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records and a medical opinion regarding his employability.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the RO's rating decision of February 1998, denying the Veteran's original claim for service connection for PTSD. The earliest effective date assignable for the grant of service connection for PTSD is July 11, 1997.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, which the appellant argues is insufficient to warrant a higher rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to determine the relationship between his alcohol dependence and PTSD, as well as an evaluation of whether he is able to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective November 30, 2004. The RO has now granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Peripheral neuropathy claims were denied as they are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia, is attributable to service. The claim for increased rating on right foot disability requires additional development.