PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran suffers from PTSD and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 12, 2000. The Board found that the current disability level does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70 percent since December 19, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms of insomnia, flashbacks, social isolation, and recurrent thoughts. These symptoms demonstrate occupational and social impairment with no more than occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, splenectomy residuals, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and kidney stones. The Board finds that the evidence supports the conclusion that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed service connection for PTSD cannot be granted due to a lack of verified stressor and the Veteran's fabrication of his alleged service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by total occupational impairment, warranting a 100% schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is being remanded due to the need for further development. The case will be returned to the RO after scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a 70% rating for PTSD, but his other claims remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to her military service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred during service, and the left clavicle fracture is considered a direct result of service. The Board finds in favor of granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The issue of hypertension was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 3, 2005. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent are met due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that an examination is necessary to determine the nature of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and its possible relationship to active service, including whether it preexisted service or was aggravated by service. The Veteran should be asked to provide additional information concerning his alleged stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on his reported stressors during his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no verified in-service stressor and the evidence does not support a finding that the current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has determined that service connection for PTSD with depression is granted, as there is competent medical evidence of a diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent effective March 12, 2010. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent.