PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to prevent her from engaging in and retaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service, thus denying these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating from January 4, 2008 to December 9, 2008 and from April 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. His PTSD and right metacarpal fracture are rated at the maximum allowed, while his hearing loss claim was not granted as compensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, which was not service-connected at the time of his death, contributed to his cause of death. The appellant is therefore granted DIC based on this theory.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment provided at Grays Harbor Hospital beginning on March 27, 2009 are granted due to the emergent nature of his condition and the unfeasibility of using VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records and examining the Veteran to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 16, 2003 for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and earlier TDIU. The effective dates assigned were determined based on the evidence of record within one year of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The TDIU claim is also referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to April 6, 2010 and at 70% thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board has determined that there is a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability (dextroscoliosis) and service, granting service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD remains pending as an examination was not conducted due to the Veteran's failure to report for the scheduled VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the condition was incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of a psychiatric disability, and the Veteran's claims were denied as his claim was not substantiated by competent medical evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and a testicle disorder, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, a respiratory disability, and cellulitis of the left foot and groin. The evidence received since the previous denials relates to the basis for the prior denial.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional evidence has been obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and PTSD.

The Veteran's vision disorder claim is denied, but his PTSD claim is reopened. He is granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was submitted in September 1998, and the Board has determined that an effective date of September 14, 1998 is warranted.