PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board found no in-service head injury or disease, and thus denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's service experience constitutes a stressor for posttraumatic stress disorder and whether his depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and have been medically linked to his current diagnosis. The hearing loss claim is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, as he has reported worsening symptoms and testified that he was unable to drive due to increased anger.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling prior to October 30, 2009. From October 30, 2009, the disability was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of a depressed mood, anxiety, weekly panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and nightmares, resulting in moderate occupational and social impairment. The Board finds the evidence sufficient to support a 50 percent disability rating but no higher for the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with a major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects moderate impairment. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe disability levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have a combined effect on his lower extremities so as to effectively preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 8, 2008, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no indication that he filed a claim within one year of his discharge from service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as anger, depression, sleep disturbance, isolation behaviors, hypervigilance, startle response, impaired short-term memory and concentration, conflicted/blunted affect, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores ranging from 52-55. This rating is considered appropriate given the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded it to the RO/AMC for additional development, including verification of a claimed stressor.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, increased ratings for mitral valve prolapse and chronic kidney disease, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence related to his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed to his hypertension, which in turn was a significant condition contributing to his death. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, bilateral foot disability, and a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are all granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective July 12, 2006, and he is now entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a higher rating for his low back disability, and the derivative claim for TDIU are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Headaches. The claim for Headaches is pending as a new issue has been identified.