PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of serious impairment, with social isolation, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board has determined that a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, and the Board finds that this evaluation adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on personal assaults during active duty, and the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to these in-service incidents.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to February 19, 2008. Since then, the impairment has been less severe.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA disability benefits award letter and supporting documents, treatment records from VA clinics and VetCenter, and private treatment records. The Veteran should also be provided with a VA examination to assess his current PTSD severity.

The Board has ordered the VA to verify stressors and obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 15, 2003. The claim for malaria and low back disorder was reopened.

The Veteran's mental disorder, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, does not result in occasional decrease in work efficiency or intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor and that his diagnosed PTSD did not stem from events during military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar disc disease with T12 wedging was previously denied and new evidence did not reopen the claim. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU, finding that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to July 1, 1997.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board agrees and grants the TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and affording a VA examination regarding hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee conditions, PTSD, vision loss, hearing loss, and headaches were not found to meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with insomnia and PTSD were both found to have significant impairment, warranting increased ratings. The Veteran was granted a higher rating for his PTSD from July 1, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the need for further examination to determine if PTSD is present.