PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 23, 2004. The Board determined that the symptoms of memory impairment, sleep disturbance, attacks of rage, irritability, hypervigilance, social isolation, crying spells with frequent feelings of helplessness, suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression, neglect of personal appearance, and an inability to maintain effective relationships reflect no more than occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating from the date of claim.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a decision based on clear and unmistakable error due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has determined that the veteran's unemployability due to his service-connected psychiatric disability became factually ascertainable on March 24, 1989. Therefore, an effective date of January 11, 1993 for TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service, and granted service connection for most of the disabilities listed. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted an initial 100 percent disability rating for PTSD effective from May 1, 2006.

The VA has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the veteran's PTSD, effective from July 24, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records related to a psychiatric disability. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD as secondary to service-connected disability, remains on appeal.

The Board denied an effective date prior to October 5, 1992 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with schizophrenia.

The veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and a medical opinion differentiating between service-connected PTSD and any other diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The veteran's PTSD prior to October 22, 1997 was productive of anxiety and isolative behaviors but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia, vertigo, otitis externa in the right ear, diabetes mellitus type II, primary open angle glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The appeals were all denied as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran is seeking an increased initial disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of recent VA examination and updated treatment records.

The veteran's PTSD was found to be service-connected, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of nonservice-connected pension benefits remains pending.

The veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, severe impairment in impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, memory loss, and inability to establish effective relationships. This results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas including work, family relations, social relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The VA has granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is not service-connected as there is no direct evidence linking the condition to his active duty service. The veteran's disabilities do not permanently preclude him from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the possibility that he may have additional psychiatric disorders not related to service, and a VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ear hearing loss and chronic lumbar strain with PTSD, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for further VA examination.