PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not the result of his period of active service.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and the Board finds that his symptoms are related to stressors he experienced during service, including mortar attacks and being assaulted by Rangers. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is appropriate given his symptoms of withdrawal, isolation, problems with socialization, irritability, hopeless ideation, flashbacks and nightmares.

The Board finds that the appellant's PTSD with depression is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The claim for pressure of the left head, to include as due to migraine, is denied as there is no competent evidence establishing a current disability related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there was no evidence to support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's reported stressors were not verified by the service department records.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence for the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual assault stressors, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran is entitled to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 18, 2006 through August 26, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as slow speech, flat affect, nightmares, depression, anger outbursts, intrusive thoughts, and sleep disturbances. The Board found that these symptoms met the criteria for a 50% disability rating for PTSD prior to September 7, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and compliance with VCAA notification requirements.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms most closely approximate the criteria for such a rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30% prior to May 18, 2005 and at 50% thereafter. The Board found that the symptoms since May 18, 2005 meet the criteria for a 70% rating due to occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing appropriate VCAA notice regarding personal assault claims. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his claimed psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and shortness of breath due to potential sexual assault, lack of VA examination for PTSD, and need for further evidence regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the increased rating of PTSD is not warranted, as there was no evidence showing symptoms met the schedular criteria for a higher rating prior to May 29, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD has been granted, and he is currently receiving a 70 percent disability rating. The effective date of this rating remains pending as it is not factually ascertainable from the medical evidence of record that within the year prior to April 10, 2006, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD warranted a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to June 17, 2009 included symptoms such as sleep impairment with nightmares, disturbances of motivation and mood, impaired judgment and abstract thinking, impaired memory, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships. The disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.