PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective March 9, 2006. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to that date was granted.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied. Service connection for tinnitus was granted, but the veteran is seeking a higher initial rating.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to depression affecting the ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against entitlement to an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's PTSD, finding that it is related to his combat experiences in Vietnam. The veteran's major depressive disorder was not separately service connected.

The veteran's PTSD and major depression are rated at the highest possible level (70%), while his scars, disarticulation of the left hip, and hypertension are each rated at their maximum levels. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD and major depression is granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and a need for further review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to a sexual assault during her military service, and all reasonable doubt has been resolved in favor of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further verification of in-service stressors. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD, but does not provide sufficient evidence to establish a verified in-service stressor necessary for service connection.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date of July 1, 1992 for a 100% schedular rating for PTSD, finding that the earliest evidence showing the criteria for a 100% rating had been met was the May 1, 1992 admission report. The Board also noted that the temporary total rating in effect from May to June 30, 1992, made July 1, 1992 the earliest date allowable and proper effective date for the 100% rating.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 18, 1994 for the award of a 100 percent evaluation for service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, headaches, upper respiratory disability, bilateral foot disorder, and OSA. The veteran was also denied entitlement to special monthly pension on account of being housebound or in need of aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, depression, and a sleep disorder due to lack of verified in-service stressors and no objective evidence supporting the claimed conditions. Service connection was not granted as the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional evidence, including verification of stressors and VA examinations.

The veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disability are not service-connected, as they were caused by a sexual assault after active service rather than the stress fracture in service. The rating for her right hip disabilities remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD, including a lack of verification for specific stressors. The RO is instructed to obtain VA treatment records and attempt to verify the stressful events.

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

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD based on new evidence, but denied the underlying claim of service connection due to lack of verified in-service stressors.