PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not about service connection at this stage.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board found that the Veteran did not have a disease or injury in active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) have been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and credible statements regarding such exposure, which are sufficient to establish service connection.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding treatment records and to provide a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD, including its impact on employment. The case will also be reviewed by the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, to determine if a TDIU should be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection, concluding that he is not credible in reporting symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but not severe enough for a higher rating prior to December 29, 2010. After that date, the impairment did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination of his service-connected PTSD, as well as obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a diagnosed condition resulting from fear of hostile military activity during his time in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, effective July 8, 2008. The Veteran's PTSD is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 5, 2009. From March 5, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating. Service connection for a mid-back disorder was denied.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran had Posttraumatic Stress Disorder prior to August 31, 1994. Therefore, the effective date for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder cannot be earlier than August 31, 1994.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the lack of credible evidence corroborating his claimed in-service stressor. The claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder remains pending and will be remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rate of payment in excess of 50 percent for educational assistance under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code was denied as she did not meet the criteria for discharge from active duty due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD was granted, and his TDIU rating with effective date prior to November 1, 2000 was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective from November 10, 2010, based on significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining SSA disability determination and medical records associated with the determination, providing a new VA examination for the Veteran's low back disability, and scheduling another VA examination to determine if the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been manifested by reduced reliability and productivity, but not occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The criteria for a 50 percent disability rating have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of both the old and new rating criteria for PTSD and a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains on appeal.