PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depression is manifested by symptoms such as suicidal ideation, periods of violence, panic attacks, reclusiveness, anxiety, agitation, crying spells, short term memory problems, depression, feelings of helplessness, poor personal hygiene, sleeping problems, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and nightmares. The Board finds that the disability is currently manifested by symptoms warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board found that the veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was dismissed as the original decision granting a 100% rating for PTSD, effective September 7, 1994, is final. The veteran did not challenge this decision or raise any issues related to service connection.

The veteran's request for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to an outstanding hearing request. The appeal will be returned to the RO for scheduling a new hearing.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and did not provide a verifiable stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 2, 2007. This evaluation reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 22, 2007 and denied any higher rating. From June 22, 2007, the VA assigned a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD for purposes of accrued benefits because there is no evidence showing that he was diagnosed with PTSD during his lifetime.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a hamstring injury, residuals of a stroke, and PTSD have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 70 percent, as it results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, insomnia, and anxiety) are pending.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss disability have been rated as noncompensable since September 29, 2003. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than October 22, 2001 for the grant of service connection for major depression with PTSD is not warranted.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is not shown to warrant a rating in excess of the current 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from July 25, 2003 to June 28, 2005 and increased to 50 percent beginning on June 29, 2005.,PTSD symptoms included occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The appellant's testimony, along with a medical opinion from the VA Medical Center, supports the conclusion that the veteran had PTSD related to his service in Vietnam, which contributed to his suicide and thus caused his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The veteran's contentions are considered insufficient to establish a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to February 4, 1999 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The earliest documented diagnosis of PTSD was in February 4, 1999.

The veteran's death was not caused by or as a result of any service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of entitlement to a total rating for at least five years prior to his death.