PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to February 1, 2005. From February 1, 2005 to April 21, 2005, the rating was increased to 50 percent. Since April 21, 2005, the PTSD has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is related to his active duty service, and he also has a diagnosed psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the occurrence of a stressor related to his in-service experiences and concluding that the current diagnosis of PTSD is based on unsubstantiated reports from the veteran.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The RO has also granted ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both legs, but these are not in excess of their current assigned ratings. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence to support his claimed in-service sexual assault and personal trauma.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence that any of the veteran's claimed in-service stressors actually occurred, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, chemical exposure, and Agent Orange exposure due to insufficient evidence of verified stressors in service.

The veteran's PTSD was not rated higher than 30 percent from February 19, 2002 to July 29, 2004 and is not entitled to a rating in excess of 70 percent as of July 30, 2004.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the May 2002 denial. The RO will now proceed with a determination on whether the veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and if it is at least as likely as not that his PTSD is related to any verified in-service event(s).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and thus remands the case for further action.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The other conditions have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims for service connection, including information about in-service stressors and any relevant VA or SSA records. The case will be remanded for further development.

From August 31, 1998 to November 11, 2002, the veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,From November 12, 2002 forward, the veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as school, mood, thinking, judgment, family relations, or work.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's PTSD and his employability. The issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation greater than 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to VCAA notification issues and to obtain VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, including multiple sexual assaults by superior officers, have not been verified and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective February 19, 2004. The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD results in total occupational impairment but not total social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and did not address the TDIU claim as it is merged into the current appeal.