PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was pending since March 5, 1984. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at March 5, 1984.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since April 10, 2008. The rating is based on the symptoms of mild to moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 18, 2009. Prior to that date, the disability was not found to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms that include hypervigilence, anxiety and panic, irritability, impaired memory, anger, difficulty concentrating, exaggerated startle response, isolation, avoidance, flashbacks, nightmares, and sleep impairment. This results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

For the periods from July 14, 2004 through September 20, 2005, and from November 1, 2005 through June 22, 2006, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent disabling.,For the period from August 1, 2006, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent disabling.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with dysthymic disorder and depression not otherwise specified. The VA examiner found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and concluded that his other diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that the claimed stressors were not supported by a sufficient in-service event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression and adjustment disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence regarding his in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is service-connected. However, he does not have PTSD as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective September 13, 2006. The rating reflects total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as increased social isolation, depression, and severe difficulty working around others.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD including a mood disorder was denied. The Court found that VA did not follow the guidelines for developing PTSD claims based on personal assaults and remanded this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed in-service stressors and to obtain a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is rated at 70 percent effective from April 15, 2004. This rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence related to his alleged stressor event in service.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to service. The examiner will also need to verify any in-service stressors that support the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his in-service stressors and current psychiatric status.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, are granted.