PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is a result of his service, specifically from carrying and transporting wounded soldiers, including W.L., during his tour in Vietnam. The decision grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 19, 2004. The disability rating has been granted.

The veteran's PTSD results in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded to the RO for further action, including a hearing before a Decision Review Officer.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than December 23, 2004, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The earliest received evidence of record prior to January 7, 2005, did not show increased disability warranting such a rating.

The veteran seeks an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that further psychiatric examination is needed to more accurately assess the current severity of the veteran's PTSD and reconcile the divergent GAF scores assigned to him.

The veteran's dysthymic disorder was incurred in service and has been causally related to service, leading to the grant of service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are not addressed as they have been remanded.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-traumatic stress disorder before November 1, 2007 is remanded. The issue of whether the reduction to 30 percent from November 1, 2007 was proper is also remanded.

The VA determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is not related to his active service, as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for PTSD. The issue also includes verifying an in-service stressor that would support service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including stressor verification and VA examinations to determine service connection for PTSD and an initial rating for Meniere's syndrome.

The veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The conditions are not found to be related to his active service or directly caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD causes severe occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 100 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him so helpless as to be unable to care for himself, protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his environment, or attend to the needs of nature. The Board finds that the preponderance of the probative evidence is against the veteran's claim for entitlement to SMC.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify stressors and obtain a VA examination.

The veteran's PTSD does not render him unemployable, as his other conditions and substance abuse issues prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.