PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment due to mild symptoms such as depressed mood, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss. The Board finds that a rating of 30 percent for PTSD is most appropriate.

The Veteran's PTSD was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his symptoms did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to November 2007 was granted, and the case is remanded for further action regarding a compensable rating for right varicocele. The effective date remains pending as it relates to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied. The Board found that the symptoms associated with the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder did not more nearly approximate or equate to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's reported combat stressors and to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a stroke, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no competent medical evidence of any pertinent 'disability' for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the PTSD claim and that the claimed psychiatric condition was not due to herbicide exposure or other disease incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms of detachment, isolation, increased startle response, hypervigilance, difficulty concentrating, chronic sleep impairment, impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence), difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances (including work), and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships. The Veteran's PTSD more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent rating but no higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between his current psychiatric disorder and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient notice regarding personal assault allegations and outstanding SSA records.

The Veteran's skin disorder is rated as 10 percent disabling, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) and a disability of the neck, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination by a psychiatrist.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by impairments in family relations, mood, and social functioning, without gross impairments in occupational functioning, thought processes, communications or reality testing. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from March 4, 1998 to February 16, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service, specifically the strafing incident he experienced during World War II.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected.,PTSD was initially granted with a 50% rating, but the RO later increased it to 70% effective April 28, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and headaches, as well as service connection for a respiratory disorder, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, were incurred during active service.