PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is present based on verified stressors. The Veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to reassess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation of PTSD was denied as there is no indication that the disability worsened prior to his March 10, 2004 claim. The effective date assigned is consistent with VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his PTSD and to consider the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD and major depressive disorder, including a VA examination to assess the current level of disability. Additionally, an opinion on whether he is unemployable due to these conditions must be obtained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but denied the claim on the merits as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The TDIU claim is also part of the current appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for migraines. The remaining issues of service connection for cracked teeth, ear injury, and hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a finding that his symptoms are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted with a 30 percent evaluation effective October 31, 2006. The Board found that the symptoms more nearly approximated the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, effective July 18, 2007. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his in-service experiences on the flight deck during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's PTSD was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas between July 11, 2007 and September 17, 2008. Therefore, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent were not met.

The Veteran died from respiratory depression due to acute morphine intoxication. The appellant claims that the death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety with depression and PTSD, which may have led him to abuse painkillers like morphine. The Board finds a need for additional development to determine if the cause of death is related to service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, right shoulder condition, and foot condition were all denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective from November 17, 2000, the date of receipt of the Veteran's original claim. The RO assigned an initial rating of 30 percent and a later effective date of February 11, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 20, 2009. He now claims a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested primarily by symptoms of insomnia, depression, irritability, social isolation, cognitive difficulty, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores between 47 and 53. These symptoms demonstrate occupational and social impairment with no more than reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal includes two issues: one regarding an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD, and another concerning CUE in the August 1973 rating decision. Both issues are currently unresolved and need to be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation services under Chapter 31 was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities had worsened to the point where he could no longer perform the duties of his previous occupation, and because the occupation previously found suitable for him is still considered suitable based on his employment handicap and capabilities.