PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since December 12, 1997. The issue of a TDIU prior to March 18, 2000, is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and a psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD, secondary to his diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board denied the veteran's claim, finding that withholding of past due benefits to recoup his indebtedness was proper based on VA regulations.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent disability evaluation, effective from April 18, 2000. The appellant's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short- and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD causes significant occupational and social impairment but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The appeal is being remanded for additional review of the evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD and for an increased rating for COPD are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is shown to have been productive of a level of impairment that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as depression, impaired impulse control, and an inability to establish effective relationships. The RO has granted a 70 percent rating for the entire period since December 21, 1999.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including VA examinations and notification of the evidence needed to substantiate his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is associated with his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The VA has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from January 2001.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to incomplete notice, need for SSA records, and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 14, 2000 for the grant of total rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of a formal or informal claim received within one year of May 16, 1994 when it was ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner will be asked to determine whether the veteran's alcohol dependence is a symptom of his PTSD and if it should be considered in rating his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and lung disorder, inclusive of COPD, were incurred in service. The VA will now proceed to assign a rating for the lung disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disease is not related to service or his service-connected PTSD. The rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and to clarify the basis of his Social Security Administration disability benefits.