PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD was characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by symptoms such as anxiety, depression, anger, and poor sleep. However, these symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent due to lack of gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting self or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, disorientation to time or place, memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name. The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and other conditions, has been rated at 30 percent since June 25, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his PTSD and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as a review of the claims file to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran was emotionally, physically, and sexually abused by her husband during active duty service from June 1979 to June 1983. The examiner is also requested to provide an opinion on whether any current psychiatric disorder is due to such abuse or military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The Board also denied her secondary service connection claim for memory deficit, insomnia, and sleep apnea as these conditions are not related to her active service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 27, 1995. The Board also found that the criteria were not met to grant a TDIU earlier than April 8, 2003.

The Veteran does not have PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran did not manifest a current PTSD disability.,The Veteran has degenerative joint disease of both knees, which were incurred during his military service.,The Veteran also has rheumatoid arthritis, which was incurred during his military service.,The Veteran's sleep disorder is secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the knees.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in service, and the other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressor is related to his fear of hostile military activity and consistent with his Vietnam service. The Veteran's symptoms are related to this stressor.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including consideration of a newly raised claim for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to a verified stressor event during his service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and the claim for TDIU.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed depressive disorder and dysthymia, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from October 1, 2001 to April 9, 2006 and increased to 100 percent effective January 21, 2010.,PTSD symptoms included memory loss, depression, anxiety, exaggerated startle response, intrusive thoughts, lack of concentration, irritability, occasional neglect of personal hygiene, depression, anxiety attacks, and impaired sleep with continuous nightmares.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 7, 2005 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD was granted. The increase in disability had occurred prior to the receipt of his claim.

The Board found that depression did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and the evidence does not otherwise indicate that it is related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is linked to in-service stressors and whether he has any other acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran will be provided with an opportunity to submit additional evidence or argument.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported combat stressors are credible and supported by evidence. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on his in-service experiences.