PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal and the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to August 11, 2007, and increased to 70 percent as of that date. The veteran is also entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD starting from the same date.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for post traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for bilateral knee chondromalacia were denied due to insufficient evidence of a verified or potentially verifiable in-service stressor related to the claimed PTSD, and no functional loss that equates with flexion being limited to 60 degrees or less or extension limited to less than 10 degrees for either knee was demonstrated.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective from June 17, 2007, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran for a disability rating of 70 percent and no more for the period prior to that date.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent of deficiencies in most areas. A rating in excess of 50 percent is therefore not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. However, it granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on new and material evidence.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder was rated at 50 percent before September 7, 2004, and increased to 70 percent from that date due to symptoms including deficiencies in most areas such as family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation, and his non-union fracture of the left carpal navicular (minor) did not warrant an increased rating.

The veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board promulgated a decision, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 2003, as it is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The rating of 70 percent was granted for this period.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence regarding a verified in-service stressor.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and conduct further development of the claims for service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was remanded to obtain additional evidence and a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and related depression have been primarily manifested by social isolation, avoidance, intrusive memories, flashbacks, hypervigilance, irritability, anxiety, near-continuous depression, panic attacks, insomnia, mild memory loss, suicidal ideation, difficulty in maintaining work and social relationships due to anger and irritability, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work and family relationships. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's PTSD and related depression.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was reopened and denied. The claims for service connection for diabetic nephropathy, heart disease, and hypertension were also denied.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was remanded for further development, including a psychiatric examination and nexus opinion.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, a left knee disability, and a residual disability due to a head injury as there was no current diagnosis of PTSD, no current diagnosis of a left knee disability, and the current cognitive disorder, migraine headaches, and seizure disorder were not related to service.