PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in active military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and for increased evaluations of his service-connected PTSD. The issues remain in appellate status.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance, and an earlier effective date for TDIU. The decision found that there was no credible corroborating evidence of in-service stressors and that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to April 20, 2007 and increased to 30 percent effective April 20, 2007.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore the claim for TDIU is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely submit a Substantive Appeal for his claims of PTSD and tardive dyskinesia, leading to their dismissal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Hepatitis C, a Right Shoulder Disability, and a Right Hand Disability. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was previously denied in September 1999 and is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The ratings for bilateral hearing loss and ligament damage, left knee, with minimal joint space narrowing; degenerative joint disease were reduced but the veteran's appeal for restoration of these ratings are granted.

The Board found no verified in-service stressors and thus denied the claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted since the May 1989 rating decision. However, the VA examiners determined that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran is granted TDIU prior to October 31, 2006 due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU as of October 31, 2006, has been rendered moot.

The VA has requested additional records, including from the Puget Sound VAMC and SSA. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded to allow for further development of his medical history.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of his VA benefits due to his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a videoconference hearing. The current issue on appeal is the increased disability rating for service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim was not reopened as no such evidence was provided.

Throughout the rating period, the veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms of anxiety, sleep impairment, nightmares, irritability, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, depression, and trouble communicating. The disability is currently rated at 30 percent under DC 9411 due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 30, 1997 for service connection of PTSD due to lack of legal merit.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and finds that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.