PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (subthreshold PTSD), moderate dysthymic disorder does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from November 1, 2004 through March 7, 2007. From March 8, 2007 onwards, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses of PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, as well as incomplete records regarding the veteran's claimed stressors. The veteran needs to provide more information about his in-service stressors and additional medical records are needed.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated as 30 percent disabling prior to January 30, 2004 and 70 percent since that date. The Board found a 100 percent rating is warranted for the entire course of the appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied due to a lack of a confirmed diagnosis. The additional evidence includes a professional opinion supporting the diagnosis of PTSD and corroborating the stressor event in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a disability evaluation of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of certain claims, including verifying an in-service injury and determining who was attempting to steal the ammunition truck.

The veteran does not have PTSD that is related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment based on all of his service-connected disabilities combined.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. The veteran's in-service stressors have been verified, and he is diagnosed with PTSD. His claims for secondary service connection for CAD and hypertension are addressed in a separate remand.

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

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and adjudication of increased rating claims for hearing loss and tinnitus. The examiner will assess whether his PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated as 100 percent disabling since April 1, 2005 due to total occupational and social impairment caused by gross impairment in thought processes, persistent hallucinations, inappropriate behavior, and a persistent danger of hurting himself and others.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking any acquired psychiatric disorder to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination. The TDIU issue is also held in abeyance until this matter is resolved.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to substantiate the veteran's claim for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This includes obtaining records from law enforcement agencies, military units, and other sources related to any reported assaults during active duty. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability, degenerative joint disease with torn medial meniscus of the left knee, right knee disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence does not support these claims as there is no medical evidence linking any current disabilities to military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosed disability of PTSD and therefore denied service connection for PTSD.