PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate those of reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation.

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

The veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as his lower extremity disability is not related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to his combat service in Korea. The case is being remanded for a VA examination and further evidence collection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and PTSD, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on their current manifestations. The TDIU claim was also denied as the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD, including verification of stressors and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD due to any verified event during his period of military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new evidence submitted did not meet the criteria to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD diagnosed in conformity with DSM-IV criteria and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the cause of death, acute opiate intoxication, was not caused by a service-connected condition. The veteran's PTSD and toxoplasmosis did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

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

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as he did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to February 13, 2007.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and obtaining updated medical records.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent evaluation effective July 28, 2004. The veteran's symptoms of PTSD were found to more closely approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating beginning on that date.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects mild to moderate impairment. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

From March 5, 2003, to April 12, 2006, the veteran's psychiatric disorder was productive of reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short- and long-term memory, impaired judgment, and disturbances of motivation and mood.,Since April 13, 2006, the veteran's psychiatric disorder has been characterized by deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, speech intermittently illogical or irrelevant, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish effective relationships.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating at any point during the appeal period.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as a result.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction with PTSD features warrants a higher 100 percent rating due to his inability to work.