PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD and DM is being remanded for additional development of the evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for essential hypertension and a compensable rating for PTSD are being remanded for additional development.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding the veteran's alleged stressors and to ensure compliance with the Joint Motion by the parties.

The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the probative medical evidence of record supports a finding that, for the period from March 15, 2000 to October 31, 2002, the veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in total social and occupational impairment.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, alcohol abuse disorder, gastrointestinal disability, and headaches were denied as there was no evidence of a relationship to his period of military service.

The veteran's PTSD is not severe enough to warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent, and his service-connected disability does not prevent him from engaging in employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of the record.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of significant symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, social isolation, occasional suicidal ideation, increased arousal and hypervigilance, difficulty sleeping, obsessive behavior, near continuous panic attacks, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, memory loss, occasional auditory and visual hallucinations, poor concentration, depressed mood, and anhedonia. The Board finds that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and denied claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, a urinary disorder, and a speech disorder. The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for fracture of the inferior and superior rami of the left pelvis.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a left elbow disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or for many months thereafter, and the weight of competent evidence did not relate them to active duty. The claims were also denied due to lack of medical nexus.

The veteran's service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was granted based on a verified in-service stressor and a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, but new and material evidence was found to reopen the claim for a foot condition. The other claims remained denied.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including providing the veteran with notice of the evidence required to substantiate a claim for an extraschedular rating and an explanation as to the information and evidence needed to establish an effective date for such a rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected PTSD is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran's PTSD is generally more often than not of a severe nature, manifested by a depressed mood, nightmares; severe anger and irritability, a hyperstartle response; difficulty sleeping; and with Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores ranging from 42-65, with scores most consistently at 50-55. The Board finds that entitlement to a 70 percent disability evaluation is warranted for the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of the evidence regarding the veteran's claimed stressors related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD based on credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and a current diagnosis.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to April 10, 2000, and increased to 50 percent from April 10, 2000, to September 27, 2006. The rating returned to 30 percent effective from September 27, 2006.