PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for tinnitus and traumatic injury to right foot metatarsals 1 and 2 with chronic strain to include numbness of great toe. The appellant's PTSD was found to be 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is inextricably intertwined with his other claims and must be remanded. The VA needs to ensure all necessary development, including obtaining private medical records from Tuscaloosa VAMC, has been completed.

The Board denied the appeal as the reduction of compensation benefits to 10 percent, effective April 24, 2006, due to incarceration for a felony conviction was proper.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The RO denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for chest scars and residuals of multiple rib fractures, but did not assign specific ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 25, 2008 resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The symptoms included depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, OCD and PTSD, is related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination and additional treatment records, as his most recent VA examination was from 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and assigned a 50 percent evaluation, effective November 30, 2006. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence demonstrated symptoms consistent with a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied claims for service connection for depression with stress, heart disease, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The claim for residuals of left ankle injury was remanded due to a request for reconsideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD, did not begin in service or is otherwise related to his military service. The neurological disorder affecting both feet and toes also does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 15, 2007. The rating is based on the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening his PTSD claim and for a TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as constant feelings of depression and anguish, avoidance of military trauma-related stimuli, difficulty trusting others, and recurrent suicidal ideation. The VA examiner found the Veteran to have a GAF score of 55, indicative of moderate symptoms.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's migraine headaches are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a new psychiatric examination. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim is now considered on its merits.