PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from April 2, 2003 through April 8, 2005. Since April 9, 2005, the disability has caused total occupational and nearly total social impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability evaluation, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder have been manifested by anxiety, panic attacks, depression, lack of concentration, nightmarish thoughts, hypervigilance, sleep impairment, intermittent suicidal ideations, anger, and low motivation and energy. The symptoms do not produce total social and occupational impairment.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than December 18, 1995, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD and for a TDIU. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further review.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms align with a 50 percent rating based on reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of an in-service sexual assault to support the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The veteran's onychomycosis of both feet was granted a noncompensable rating from July 14, 1999, to November 18, 2003. From November 19, 2003, he is rated at 30 percent for this condition. His status post left ankle sprain has been rated as 10 percent since July 14, 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on new evidence provided by the veteran's VA outpatient records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, dementia, and PTSD as well as his claim for exposure to Agent Orange due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and a back disability, finding that there was no current evidence of these conditions and insufficient medical evidence to link them to service.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling prior to May 17, 2005 and 70 percent disabling from that date onwards. The Board has determined that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any time during this period.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment with GAF scores ranging from 23-50.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, psychosis, and a depressive disorder, as a result of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the veteran's service connection for PTSD. The RO must verify the stressors and provide a new VA examination if necessary.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and depression are directly related to his active service, including combat experiences in Vietnam. Service connection is granted.

The VA has granted service connection for anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) and assigned an initial rating of 30 percent, effective March 29, 2004. The veteran's symptoms include sleep disturbance, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, exaggerated startle response, avoidance behavior, and discomfort in crowds.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.