PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD and associated major depressive disorder are incurred in service due to traumatic experiences during his military service. The Board also notes that there is no indication of liver disease while in the military or for many years after discharge.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling from November 1, 2007 forward. The Board denied an increased rating for the period prior to November 1, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to January 12, 2004 or in excess of 50 percent on and after January 12, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD was incurred in service due to verified in-service stressors, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, and his hidradenitis suppurativa of multiple areas remains at a 30% evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded to further develop evidence and consider the recent changes in VA adjudication regulations regarding service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and there is no credible evidence to support his claimed stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent since May 5, 2009. The symptoms include flashbacks two to three times per week, panic attacks, and sleep disturbance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, was incurred during active military service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability (PTSD) and hepatitis C.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to unverified in-service stressors and potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, anxiety, and depression are related to his service in Vietnam. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus Type II disabilities meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, as his combined rating is 80 percent. The evidence shows that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 21, 1999. The Board found that the symptoms of flattened affect, depression, and impaired memory have led to reduced reliability and productivity in social and occupational functioning.