PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The evidence established that the Veteran's PTSD causes no more than occupational and social impairment, with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The evidence does not show reduced reliability and productivity; or difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, finding the evidence did not support a disability rating greater than 50 percent prior to April 23, 2008, and 70 percent since that date.

The appeal is remanded to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and determine if they are related to his PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, but the claims for service connection for a vertebral injury and hypertension were denied. The Veteran's current rating of 10 percent for bilateral conjunctivitis and blepharitis was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder as there was no current diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-IV criteria.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the claim.

The appeal is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current PTSD diagnosis is related to an in-service sexual assault.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that it resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment from January 27, 2005.

The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to April 17, 2001 for service connection for PTSD, including based on CUE in a November 1985 rating decision, was not timely filed and did not meet the legal requirements for establishing clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a heart disorder, to include as secondary to a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment; objectively, productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, with a Global Assessment of Functioning score indicating moderate symptoms upon the most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety with PTSD has been manifested by symptoms including nightmares, hyperstartle response, hypervigilence, intrusive thoughts, irritability, lack of sleep and inability to establish and maintain effective social relationships, productive of no more than occupational and social impairment comparable to no more than occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the occurrence of in-service stressors, including a sexual assault and a suicide attempt by a prisoner, was not supported by credible evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including PTSD, pancreatitis, a respiratory disorder, a heart disorder, residuals, status post-cystourethroscopy, and hypertension. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety as there was no credible evidence of in-service manifestations or continuity of symptoms since service, and no competent evidence otherwise showing that the claimed disabilities were incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran was not involved in combat and there was no verifiable evidence of a stressor in service.

The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to combat experiences during service in Vietnam.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD to obtain additional evidence, including VA Mental Health Hygiene treatment records and service medical records.