PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by difficulty sleeping, nightmares, some social isolation, depression and anxiety, mild irritability, infrequent flashbacks and occasional suicidal ideations. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying any in-service stressor and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are related to her military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by chronic sleep disturbance, nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, tearfulness, marked anhedonia, profound anxiety and increased startle response, intermittent and paroxysmal passive suicidality, spells of depression, a mood congruent affect, severe panic attacks, intrusive recollections, inappropriate appearance and hygiene, and problems with concentration and memory. These symptoms suggest occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to her service-connected asthma, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of TDIU remains pending as it requires further development.

The Board found that credible evidence corroborated the Veteran's exposure to a stressor event during service, but there is conflicting medical evidence regarding whether he has PTSD. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD on VA examinations and the conflicting opinions weigh against granting service connection. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's headaches and ataxia, claimed as residuals of a head injury, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as his claimed in-service stressors could not be verified and he did not engage in combat with the enemy. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking his current PTSD to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and Social Security Administration records, scheduling a new examination, and considering whether to assign staged ratings.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the appellant's claimed stressors and determine if service connection for PTSD can be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be established as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors and the diagnosis of PTSD was not linked to any confirmed events during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating to 70 percent effective from May 4, 2004.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in regards to the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and service connection for PTSD. The case is REMANDED to the RO/AMC for verification of any verified stressor and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed, including verifying stressors and obtaining missing service personnel files.

The Veteran's PTSD before September 7, 2006 was rated at 50 percent and after December 1, 2006 was rated at 70 percent. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining Vet Center records from July 2005 onward, is necessary before the claim can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, effective from May 23, 2005. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's PTSD more closely approximates the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to December 6, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in a 50 percent rating for PTSD was granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent under the direct service connection theory. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of anxiety or depressive disorder other than PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.