PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims of entitlement to higher ratings for synostosis and convalescence have been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of medical evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and links it to his military service. The Board also finds that he has other diagnosed psychiatric disorders (depression and schizophrenia) which are related to his service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. However, all of his remaining claims concerning his neck, back, left leg, right leg, left knee, and tinnitus need to be remanded due to incomplete service records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to February 13, 2007.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury of the right hand. The remaining claims, including those related to PTSD, diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, and other conditions, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, but not total. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension are granted as service-connected, with the PTSD being related to his combat experiences during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma has been reopened, but the VA has not granted service connection on the merits. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% and his hearing loss disability does not meet a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis is not based on a corroborated stressor, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to additional development being required, including obtaining a VA examination and considering evidence from sources other than service records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, with a 50% rating effective January 20, 2009. The case is remanded to the RO for further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to warrant a 100% disability rating as of January 19, 2001, based on the severity of his symptoms. The effective date is set at this time due to the fact that it was ascertainable that his condition had increased in severity prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% for the period prior to April 30, 2009. The Board finds that with resolution of all reasonable doubt in his favor, the criteria for a 50 percent rating are met.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant a higher initial rating prior to July 10, 2003, and the current schedular evaluation of 50 percent since that date is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for PTSD and service connection for skin cancer and intestinal cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to obtain or retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. The Board has granted vocational rehabilitation benefits for a law degree.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, previously diagnosed as PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent effective October 17, 2003. The VA examiner noted symptoms such as avoidance of people in uniform and war movies, irritability, isolation from family members, and difficulty establishing social relationships.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation; near continuous symptoms affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or work like setting); and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.