PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of an injury to the right big toe, and hemorrhoids were denied as there was no current diagnosis or evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the criteria were not factually ascertainable prior to January 23, 2003 for an effective date earlier than this for a 100% rating for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD was productive of complaints including anxiety, insomnia, and social isolation. Upon objective evaluation, speech and thought processes were logical and coherent, the veteran was able to attend to activities of daily living, and there was no difficulty in understanding complex commands. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The veteran's hypertension is being evaluated as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum available under the rating criteria for this condition. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms are consistent with a mild to moderate level of impairment.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, although generally functioning satisfactorily with routine behavior.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms, characterized by social and occupational impairment with occasional decrease in overall functioning due to symptoms such as depressed mood and chronic sleep impairment, do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for medical examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded. The earlier effective date of non-service connected pension benefits is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and major depression, heart disorder, hypertension, hiatal hernia, migraine headaches, and erectile dysfunction. The diagnoses were all linked to post-service stressors.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a breathing disorder, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms were within the range of a 30 percent disability.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death, but he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressor, involving a mine explosion and subsequent enemy fire, could not be confirmed by military records. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that no legal basis existed to grant such a request.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment but not the severe deficiencies in most areas required for a higher rating.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the veteran's inconsistent statements regarding his stressors and lack of credible supporting evidence made him an unreliable historian. The preponderance of the evidence did not establish a current disability related to service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms cause total social and occupational impairment.