PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since September 26, 2007. The Board granted a temporary total disability rating for hospital treatment from June 15, 2009. TDIU was not warranted as the Veteran is still employed and his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The stressor events reported by the Veteran have been verified, allowing for a determination on the merits.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, as required for a higher rating. The majority of his impairment is due to non-service-connected personality disorder and substance-induced mood disorder.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks during the period from August 7, 2003, to May 4, 2005.

The Board found no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board Hearing at the RO in Montgomery, Alabama.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric condition, including PTSD and concussion-related conditions, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between his current psychiatric symptoms and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

PTSD rated at 30 percent prior to January 13, 2009 and increased to 50 percent effective January 13, 2009.,Left ankle injury with arthritis rated at 10 percent prior to January 13, 2009 and increased to 20 percent effective January 13, 2009.,Right knee injury rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2006 and increased to 30 percent from July 28, 2006 to January 13, 2009. Since then, the rating is 20 percent.,PTSD granted effective August 9, 2005; left ankle injury with arthritis rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2006 and increased to 20 percent from July 28, 2006 to January 13, 2009. Right knee injury rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2006 and increased to 30 percent from July 28, 2006 to January 13, 2009.

The Board has ordered further development to verify the Veteran's alleged stressful events in service and to obtain his military 'Record of Assignments' for the period from September 1970 to March 1974. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records from the Vet Center and for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is the result of his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD with depression.

For the period of November 16, 2004 to September 27, 2007, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. After September 27, 2007, his PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be causally related to service, and the Board granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of PTSD based on verified in-service stressors, as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD related to his confirmed combat and noncombat-related stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression due to a lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 13, 2004 for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence indicating a claim for PTSD before January 13, 2004 and thus the effective date is set at the date of receipt of the reopened claim.