PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back, left knee, and left shoulder conditions, prevent him from continuing in his position as a machinist due to their severe effects on his ability to work. The Board finds that the cumulative effect of these disabilities makes it impossible for the Veteran to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims for increased disability rating and TDIU can be decided. This includes obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of PTSD, as well as requesting a complete employment history from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to changes in VA regulations regarding service connection for PTSD, as well as the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for both the issue of service connection for fibromyalgia and the issue of an increased evaluation for PTSD. As a result, the appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular percentage standards for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, as his combined rating is only 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD is dismissed as he wishes to withdraw his appeal. The effective date of service connection for right hip strain secondary to shell fragment wound of left thigh is set at August 7, 1991.

Prior to June 14, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD caused reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as intrusive recollections, emotional numbing, detachment, hyperarousal, sleep disturbances, difficulties with concentration and memory, infrequent panic attacks, depressed mood, passive suicidal ideation, and feelings of guilt and worthlessness.,From June 14, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD caused deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as depression, inability to play with his children, sleep disturbances, constant suicidal ideation, memory impairment causing an inability to complete massage schooling, recurrent intrusive recollections, avoidance, detachment, estrangement, restricted range of affect, anger, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, and nightmares.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of his current PTSD severity. The VA will obtain recent treatment records and schedule a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no disability rating is assigned for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and a new VA examination to assess his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by serious to more moderate symptoms with existing but limited social contacts and a tendency to isolative behavior, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD, which was granted in April 2010. The case has been remanded to schedule the Veteran for a hearing before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an oversight in obtaining SSA records, which may be relevant to the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or schizophrenia. The case is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has found that this evaluation is appropriate based on his symptoms of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's combat experiences during his military service are sufficient to establish a stressor and that there is an approximate balance of evidence in favor of the claim. The Veteran now has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his confirmed combat-related stressors.