PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD results in social and industrial impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to social isolation and avoidance; intrusive memories, flashbacks and nightmares; hypervigilance; irritability; anxiety; insomnia, mild memory loss; and difficulty in maintaining relationships. A 50 percent disability rating is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as there was no credible supporting evidence of a stressor event in service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, residuals of a right eye injury, and a sleep disorder. The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with stenosis, radiculopathy of each leg, PTSD, loss of the left great toenail, onychomycosis and tinea pedis, and COPD were not rated higher than their current levels.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from July 19, 2004, to April 11, 2006, and increased to 70 percent since then.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied due to the lack of verified in-service stressors. The case is being remanded to verify the claimed stressors and reassess the claim.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, benign prostatic hypertrophy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes mellitus for further development.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and a left shoulder disorder was not found to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's PTSD diagnosis has not been attributed to a verified in-service stressor, and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran was granted a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD from September 30, 2004 to May 16, 2005 due to symptoms including frequent auditory hallucinations and nightmares. The rating was reduced to 30 percent after May 16, 2005 as the veteran's condition improved.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to reassess the veteran's PTSD given reported changes in his condition.

The veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD that is the etiological result of his active service, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The appeal is remanded for additional development to satisfy the notification provisions of the VCAA in accordance with Kent, and to obtain updated medical evidence.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as the December 9, 1999 claim is the first formal application for this benefit.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a left knee disability, PTSD, a low back disability, a cardiovascular disability, a kidney disability, and erectile dysfunction were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The veteran's anxiety disorder with features of post-traumatic stress and depressive disorder is manifested by severe symptoms, including daily panic attacks, severe depression, sleep impairment, inability to concentrate, flashbacks, impaired impulse control, isolative behavior, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, flattened affect, paranoia, suicidal ideation, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board finds that the veteran's disability more nearly approximates a 70 percent evaluation.

The veteran's service connection claim for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder was granted, while the claim for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied service connection for all conditions and a higher initial rating for the residuals of laceration of the right fourth finger.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied due to a lack of corroborated in-service stressors.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted based on the current diagnosis and verified in-service stressors.