PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The veteran's initial claim for PTSD was granted, and he is currently receiving a 50% evaluation. The Board found no evidence linking his bilateral knee and elbow disorders or coronary artery disease to service. His PTSD has been rated based on the severity of symptoms such as depression, impaired memory, difficulty in concentration, and social relationships.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, a neck condition, and a skin condition secondary to exposure to herbicides. The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's failure to report for a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by multiple symptoms of avoidance, problems with concentration, an exaggerated startle, anger, a depressed mood, and anxiousness. His impairment is no more than severe, and total occupational and social impairment is not shown.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD based on new evidence submitted since the last denial, including his assertions about stressors in service and VA treatment records indicating a possible diagnosis of PTSD. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted based on his symptoms of panic attacks more than once per week and difficulties in establishing effective relationships.

The veteran's PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran died before the decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development and adjudication of the issue of service connection for PTSD on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and drug and alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of a verified stressor during his active service from November 1966 to November 1969.

The Board found that the appellant has service connection for PTSD, but denied claims for other acquired psychiatric disorders due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from December 15, 1992, to the present. The veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment; however, there is not total occupational and social impairment due to such symptoms as gross impairment in thought processes or communication.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not produce more than mild social and industrial impairment.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 50% for PTSD and denied the appellant's request for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability, as well as his request for an earlier effective date. The decision also confirms that the current effective date for the PTSD rating is March 16, 1992.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 6, 1999 and found no basis to grant a rating in excess of 70 percent effective April 6, 1999.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's service-connected PTSD to his death by homicide, thus denying the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination and copies of any divorce court proceedings.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability evaluation for PTSD was denied as no legal entitlement to such existed.

The Board finds that the veteran's PTSD is attributable to incidents in military service, including combat and non-combat situations. The claim for increased ratings for brain concussion and low back syndrome with degenerative joint disease are also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a shrapnel wound of the upper lip, and a right shoulder disorder are not well-grounded. The claim for dental trauma is also denied as it does not meet the criteria for treatment purposes.

The veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted based on new evidence.