PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is currently manifested and whether it is related to service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD remains in dispute.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on combat exposure, and his right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current mental health conditions are related to his military service. The veteran was not present for scheduled examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his military personnel file and providing him with notice regarding credible supporting evidence of the reported inservice personal assault.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for PTSD, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The PTSD claim was also denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional information about the veteran's claimed stressors and scheduling appropriate medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining corroborating evidence of a claimed in-service personal assault and conducting a VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is service-connected.

The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by moderate symptoms, including some depression and anxiety, sleep disruption, obsessional rituals, short and long term memory disruptions, hypervigilance, nightmares and a feeling of detachment and avoidance. The VA has granted an increased rating to 50 percent for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD with major depression resulted in definite social and industrial impairment during the period from October 14, 1976 through March 30, 1997. The Board found no basis for granting a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and for up-to-date medical records.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent from February 7, 2006. The symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, avoidance of sex and thoughts related to the traumatic experience, which demonstrate occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have chloracne, bilateral pes planus, seizure disorder, or PTSD that is service-connected. The claims are denied.

The veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks from August 25, 2000 to May 26, 2003. The VA assigned a 30 percent disability rating for this period.

The Board denied an effective date prior to May 31, 1994, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and finds reasonable doubt in favor of his claim. The service connection is granted.

The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by reduced reliability and productivity, with symptoms including panic attacks more frequent than once a week, auditory hallucinations, flashbacks, nightmares, impaired judgment, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating have been met.