PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability, tinnitus, and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) is related to service but the claim for service connection remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 2, 2009. The case is REMANDED for additional development to ensure a complete and current record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disability and whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and an inability to establish a valid diagnosis based on unverified information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of March 23, 1982. For the initial rating period prior to February 22, 2002, a disability rating of 50 percent is assigned.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating available under VA guidelines. The appeal has been denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service and the Board finds that the positive and negative evidence is in equipoise with respect to the claim for service connection for PTSD, thus granting the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Appellant regarding a possible link between malaria and the Veteran's cause of death. The claim will be reviewed again with consideration of this new information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right bundle branch block, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and noncompensably rated left fifth metacarpal finger fracture residuals and scar of the left palm, preclude gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an apportionment of her husband's VA compensation benefits, finding that he was reasonably discharging his responsibility for her during their separation and thus no basis exists for a 'general' apportionment. However, there is no hardship shown to warrant a 'special' apportionment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 13, 2002. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial evaluation of 70 percent have been met.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was granted, but the service connection is determined to be on the merits (direct), not via a presumption or secondary condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, defective vision, loss of sensation to left arm, right leg disability, and chronic headaches. The evidence submitted since the previous denial is considered new and material, allowing these claims to be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking information from SSA. The appellant's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including isolation, exaggerated startle response, avoidance, interrupted sleep, nightmares, and irritability before April 15, 2010. From April 15, 2010, the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation have been met.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted because he was in combat and experienced traumatic events that are presumed to have occurred, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to his in-service stressors involving actual or threatened death and serious injury. After resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the periods from November 7, 1994 to January 16, 1997, March 1, 1997 to November 2, 2008, and January 1, 2009 to May 7, 2010.