PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was productive of severe impairment, warranting a 70% evaluation from June 20, 2002 to February 25, 2006. Since February 23, 2006, his condition is so severely disabling that he is unemployable and warrants an initial 100% evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's current PTSD diagnosis is in equipoise with his service stressors, and thus granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and a rating for depressive disorder, dysthymia, with PTSD, as well as TDIU. The effective date for these benefits was set at April 23, 1993.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, due to depression, anxiety, hallucinations, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, monthly panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, memory problems, and limited judgment. The initial evaluation for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the submission of additional medical evidence without a waiver, and because both issues must be considered together as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of service periods and need for additional examination.

The veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including verification of stressors and audiometric examinations. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service due to lack of corroborating evidence for stressors and no combat involvement.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional information regarding stressors.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a staged increased rating of 70 percent from June 10, 2004.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a grant of Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is November 17, 1997.

The veteran's PTSD prior to June 5, 2005 resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. Since June 6, 2005, the condition has caused reduced reliability and productivity with difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD. The VA examiner found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss or PTSD to his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration due to procedural issues, including a need for additional VCAA notice regarding the reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, bilateral defective hearing, and chronic tinnitus are being remanded due to inconsistencies in reported stressors and lack of verification.