PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by irritability, hypervigilance, grandiosity, and sleep disturbance without requiring medication or therapeutic treatment. The current medical findings do not indicate the presence of panic attacks or memory loss. Therefore, the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent have not been met.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and missing records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed in-service stressful experiences, while occurring during his service in Thailand, have not been verified and thus do not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's foot fungus is found to be service-connected, and a rating of 30 percent for PTSD is granted.,For the period from May 2003 to April 28, 2005, the veteran receives a 30 percent rating for PTSD. For the period starting on April 28, 2005, he receives a 70 percent rating.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of his military service in combat with the enemy in Korea.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and PTSD due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss and PTSD are denied. The veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities preventing him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD effective October 8, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors. As a result, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The veteran's PTSD is associated with his military service and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death from cardiac arrhythmia. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder. The claim for increased rating of residuals of a right fibula fracture is also denied.

The Board has granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD effective March 8, 1982 based on the evidence of severe impairment in social and industrial adaptability.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Diabetic Retinopathy, Cataracts, and Impotence, as well as PTSD. The initial rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was maintained.

The VA granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD and denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, while his peripheral neuropathy shares symptoms with his service-connected shell fragment wounds.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of October 1, 1983, for the award of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD from July 3, 2001 to April 29, 2003 and a rating in higher than 50 percent as of April 30, 2003 is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and PTSD, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's military service.