PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as frequent nightmares, flashbacks related to Vietnam service, hypervigilance, insomnia, intrusive thoughts, and auditory hallucinations. These symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to their moderate impact on social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder, so the case is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the other issues. The Veteran's left ear disorder (other than hearing loss) did not have an onset in service, and there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder that meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility was denied because VA facilities were available and feasible to provide the necessary treatment during his condition's stabilization period.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD and depression were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no link between current symptoms and an inservice stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as his diagnosis of PTSD was based on a stressor related to his military duties during World War II.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current PTSD or other psychiatric disorder is related to his in-service right knee injury.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating since August 3, 2010. Prior to that date, the Veteran was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. The Board has granted this initial rating as of October 30, 2006 onward.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD. The issues will be readjudicated after the RO adjudicates this issue and any other pending claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a GAF score of 51.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressor and therefore denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The effective date for the 70% rating for PTSD remains November 9, 2000.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the residuals of a fractured right thumb was also denied. The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification of the April 2008 VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of November 30, 1998. The skin disorder claim remains pending.