PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment as of January 14, 2008. A 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD was granted effective November 23, 2009.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD from October 15, 1975 to April 17, 1997, effective May 1, 1985.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by social isolation, occupational impairment, irritability, anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, sleeplessness, and nightmares. The Board finds that the disability picture most closely approximates a 70 percent rating for service-connected PTSD.

The Board finds that it is as likely as not the Veteran's PTSD is related to her active duty training, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by difficulty sleeping, restricted affect, frequent panic attacks, anxiety, stress, irritability, avoidance of others, short-term memory loss, and depression. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise on whether a 50 percent rating for PTSD should be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of depression, hyperarousal, impaired sleeping and anger. There is no evidence of obsessional rituals, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, delusions, illogical speech, near continuous panic, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances or memory loss.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to February 9, 2009. From that date forward, the rating has been increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical inquiry.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more current VA examination to assess the current nature, extent and severity of his PTSD. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to TDIU rating has been raised by the record and must be adjudicated in conjunction with the increased rating claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to her failure to report for a VA examination. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for PTSD was granted, effective September 17, 2008. He also received a grant of TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits on August 27, 2005.,An earlier effective date is not warranted as the evidence does not show that the Veteran met the criteria for TDIU prior to August 27, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and depression are related to her in-service sexual assaults, which qualifies as a fear of hostile military activity. The evidence supports this finding, including her own testimony and corroborating medical records.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and requesting further medical opinions.

The Veteran's case was remanded due to his incarceration and inability to attend a Travel Board hearing. The case is now back with the Board for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further factual development, including verification of an in-service stressor and examination to determine if the Veteran has posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The AOJ will also review all opinions provided.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since March 29, 2007, and the claim for a higher rating prior to that date remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 50 percent, effective November 17, 2009. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, and his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.