PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, including whether he experienced combat-related stressors. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors of sexual assault.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD/depressive disorder. The case has been remanded due to a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a previous rating decision that did not reopen his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to dress, undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, or attend to the wants of nature. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as the earliest possible effective date would be August 21, 2006, when his claim to reopen was received. The claims for reopening of service connection for polyarthritis of the left and right lower extremities are granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% evaluation effective March 25, 2008. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective January 7, 2010. His tinnitus remains at a maximum of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating, finding that his PTSD alone did not render him unemployable and that when combined with other conditions, he was considered to be totally unemployable. The effective date of the grant of TDIU is June 3, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 16, 2009, and in excess of 50 percent from November 16, 2009, for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been granted by the RO. The Veteran is currently receiving a 50% rating effective November 16, 2009.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD has caused occupational and social impairment, but not to a degree warranting an evaluation higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim of an initial rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining recent VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective December 17, 2008. The effective date of the grant is set at November 15, 1996.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to January 14, 2009. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension (C&P) for this determination.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes a new VA psychiatric examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected PTSD, and for the printing of Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his reported combat experiences in Vietnam are consistent with the circumstances of his service and sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms warrant a higher rating of 50 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a mental health examination, and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are at least as likely as not related to her military service due to aggravation of a pre-existing personality disorder during active duty.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic cardiomyopathy and valvular heart disease, which the private cardiologist opined were related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.