PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD, while causing moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning, did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The Board granted a TDIU effective September 9, 2002 based on the veteran's service-connected right knee disability and PTSD. The RO assigned an effective date of August 7, 1999 as it was factually ascertainable that the increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the claim.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected. The claim for PTSD is denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and malaria. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent; his diabetes mellitus requires oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet but does not necessitate insulin or activity regulation; and there is no evidence of active disease process or residuals from malaria.

The veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from November 6, 2002 to January 19, 2005. From January 20, 2005, the disability caused more severe impairment.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and asbestosis, finding no evidence of a current disability or a link between military service and these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right and left shoulder disabilities, right and left knee disabilities as secondary to shoulder and back conditions, and a back disability as secondary to a shoulder condition due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or in-service events/injuries related to these conditions.

The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and thus denied her claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, leaving no issues remaining for the Board to consider.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with difficulty in adapting to stressful situations, especially at work, and an inability to maintain effective relationships. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of stressors and obtaining medical records. The veteran is to be scheduled for a VA examination if his claimed stressors are verified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a schedular evaluation of 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim in November 2001.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive psychiatric examination and further development of his claims.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to approximate occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, beginning November 14, 2005. The veteran is now rated at the highest disability rating of 70 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD attributable to verifiable inservice stressors and therefore denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and has also determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.