PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The veteran is seeking service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has provided information regarding two alleged in-service stressors. The Board finds that the case should be remanded to allow for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from September 28, 2004 to September 12, 2005.,Since September 13, 2005, the veteran has been granted a 100 percent rating for his PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of a gunshot wound to the right chest wall were denied. The RO found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied as there is no legal basis for entitlement.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including providing VCAA notice and scheduling a VA PTSD examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of his PTSD and low back disability.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since February 23, 2004, due to its severe impairment in his ability to work and maintain social relationships.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, initially diagnosed as major depressive disorder and later reclassified as PTSD, was granted with an effective date prior to March 16, 2001. The RO assigned a 50 percent rating for the period since March 16, 2001.

The veteran's PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus are all rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD was not caused by stressful incidents during his military service, including personal assaults while incarcerated.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is associated with a stressor during his period of active military service, and there is credible supporting evidence. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board found that the veteran is entitled to an effective date of December 8, 1999 for service connection for PTSD and denied his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms most closely approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation are met.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his exposure to threats of bodily harm and imminent danger while serving aboard the USS MONTICELLO in Vietnam, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board found that the veteran did not submit a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the May 2004 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD effective March 10, 2004. As such, the appeal is denied.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, right tibia fracture, and tinnitus) do not render him unemployable as a result of his service-connected conditions alone. His combined disability rating is at least 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for TDIU under VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of recent treatment records. The issue remains about entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions and is therefore a bar to VA benefits.