PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's current PTSD is shown to be etiologically related to his active military service, and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and related conditions including anxiety disorder and major depression, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms of nightmares, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, irritability, anxiety, depression, avoidance behavior, and general social isolation. The VA Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, which was granted in June 2004.

The Board has determined that service connection for a hepatitis C infection is denied due to the late onset of symptoms and lack of evidence linking it to active service. The claim for PTSD remains pending as an additional examination is required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability. After considering all the evidence, including the Veteran's testimony about his in-service accident and continuous post-service symptoms, the Board finds that the current back disabilities are etiologically linked to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to October 31, 2005. From that date until November 17, 2005, the rating was increased to 70 percent. Since July 23, 2008, a higher initial rating of 30 percent has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder due to lack of evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at the highest schedular level of 70 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders and hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 24, 2009 and increased to 50 percent from that date. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement regarding the denial of service connection for peripheral neuropathy. The appeal is therefore denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, are currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they only indicate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including back and wrist disabilities, gout, duodenal ulcer, chronic respiratory infections, or bronchitis. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is manifested as a result of his period of active service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background, thus the requirements for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to her military service.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the medical evidence does not show a nexus between any current psychiatric symptoms and active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The VA Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD will be reconsidered after these steps.