PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency, due to symptoms such as depressed mood, suspiciousness, panic attacks and mild memory loss. The Board finds that the evidence approximates findings supporting a 30 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diverticulitis, and disability manifested by anal pain are denied due to lack of evidence corroborating in-service stressors for PTSD and insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have PTSD meeting DSM-IV criteria and denied his claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating, as they do not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, have been dismissed due to his election to withdraw these issues. The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD attributable to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the symptoms present.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and a low back disorder, finding that her diagnoses were not predicated upon verified in-service stressors or credible evidence of personal assault.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to April 12, 2006 and 50 percent from that date. The Board has determined that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of these ratings are not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain SSA records that may be relevant to his PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and verifying service periods. The Veteran's claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, left ear otitis media, and psychiatric disorders are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and clarify whether he still desires a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his left ankle disability and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are etiologically related to his service. The Veteran is competent to report his symptoms and participation in combat.

The Veteran is currently prevented from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, alcohol abuse and dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent effective from June 21, 2007. The Veteran also has a 10 percent rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome. Service connection was granted for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran engaged in combat and has a current diagnosis of PTSD attributed to combat. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board has determined that his symptoms more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, a 100 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a mood disorder. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.