PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

From October 12, 2000 to April 15, 2003, the veteran's PTSD caused occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,Starting from April 15, 2003, the veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by severe occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD is being remanded. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains unresolved, with the veteran having level III hearing acuity in each ear.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current residuals of frostbite of the feet, hypertension was diagnosed during service and is not related to service, hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown by current medical evidence, and PTSD was not diagnosed. The claim for PTSD will be remanded due to lack of verification of stressor events.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of claimed in-service stressors and additional development is needed, including verifying specific events such as the electrocution of a fellow Marine and the drowning of another Marine. The veteran should be afforded a VA psychiatric examination if any verified stressor is found.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with service connection for PTSD and TDIU, as well as a need for additional development on these matters.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe impairment with deficiencies in several areas, such as work, family relations, and mood, due to symptoms including difficulty maintaining effective relationships, depression, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, paranoia, and avoidance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or contributed to his death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his left foot disability and a change in the effective date of service connection and evaluation for his psychiatric condition. The Board has remanded this case to issue a Statement of the Case on the NOD regarding the effective date.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and held that the veteran was not competent for VA purposes to manage his own affairs.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was granted, and he is now receiving a 70 percent disability rating. The TDIU claim was also granted with the effective date set at May 19, 2000.

The veteran's PTSD was productive of social and industrial impairment with reduced reliability and productivity during the period prior to October 11, 2001. The disability did not more nearly approximate deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with associated panic disorder is denied due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues having specific rating assignments.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, leading to increased impairment in social and occupational functioning. The VA has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective November 3, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a higher rating for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not warrant such determinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and PTSD diagnosis. The veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating since December 10, 2001.

The Board finds that the veteran's cervical spine disability, including arthritis, is service-connected and grants a rating of 40 percent. The psychiatric disability claim is denied. The right thoracic outlet syndrome is granted restoration to a 20 percent rating.

The veteran's nonservice-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes, as his combined rating is only 30 percent.