PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to January 24, 2006 and the Board has granted this rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and his tender scar residuals of gunshot wound are rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher evaluation for PTSD but not for the tender scar.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from May 4, 2007 through May 10, 2007 were covered by Medicare or private insurance. The VA did not provide immediate care due to the availability of a VA facility and the Veteran refused transfer to a VA facility.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in a disability picture that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not manifested by total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dental trauma and PTSD, with depression were denied. The claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 30, 2008 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, and finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of disability due to PTSD.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further verification of stressors, service connection history, and medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these additional steps are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a prior informal or formal claim filed before February 28, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from April 3, 2001 to April 20, 2005. From April 21, 2005 to April 12, 2006, the Veteran met the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation due to his PTSD symptoms. The rating of 70 percent was granted from April 13, 2006 onwards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, depression, low self-esteem, major depression, and stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting her claimed in-service stressors and thus failing to establish a nexus between her current PTSD and military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the assigned disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is related to a sexual assault she experienced during service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of social and occupational impairment in most areas, with symptoms including impaired impulse control, periods of violence, a history of suicide attempts, vague homicidal ideation, impaired judgment, crowd avoidance, hypervigilance, and anger control problems. However, the Veteran does not have total social and occupational impairment.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and agoraphobia, finding that there was no credible evidence of stressors related to her service. The Board also found that the current psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish a causal link between his PTSD and his underlying heart disease.