PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent from November 6, 2000 to March 31, 2008 and increased to 30 percent effective April 1, 2008.

The Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent initial rating for PTSD from July 24, 2007 through February 10, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms during this period met the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work and family relations, due to symptoms like suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence), difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish effective relationships. The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating prior to October 1, 2008 and in excess of 20 percent since October 1, 2008 for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim during a hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD caused severe impairment of relationships and occupational capacity from June 9, 2000 to June 4, 2003. Prior to that date, the condition caused definite impairment in these areas.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and panic disorder without agoraphobia was denied. The Board found that the first possible claim for PTSD was not made until September 20, 1999.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on October 28, 2007 is granted due to the presence of a service-connected disability and the emergency nature of the treatment.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further appellate review due to issues related to service connection and TDIU.

The Board found no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, is granted as service connected due to in-service combat exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is likely attributable to personal sexual assaults he experienced in the military, and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD was not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 5, 2004.,Between August 5, 2004 and October 26, 2006, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 12, 2008. The Board found that the symptoms more nearly approximated a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a neck disability, and an initial rating for anxiety disorder in excess of 30%. The Board found that there was no diagnosis of PTSD meeting DSM-IV criteria. For the neck disability, the Board concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current condition and service or the service-connected right upper arm disability. For the anxiety disorder, the Board noted that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating did not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially manifested by sleep impairment, anxiety, depression, intrusive recollections, nightmares, flashbacks, impaired impulse control, hypervigilance, and severe difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board found that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it was incurred during active duty due to combat stressors.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the Veteran not reporting for his scheduled hearing. The case must be handled expeditiously.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychological evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no medical evidence of a current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors was not provided.