PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and hemorrhoids) prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and effective dates related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran also has pending claims regarding a total evaluation based on individual unemployability, which are being addressed separately.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by social isolation, anger and irritability, flashbacks, nightmares, and poor sleep, resulting in reduced reliability and productivity in social and occupational functioning. The Board finds a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and tinnitus are remanded due to the need to verify stressor events, obtain missing reserve component records, and provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no credible evidence to support his PTSD diagnosis and the other conditions did not appear related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from November 1, 2005 to August 15, 2006. The claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disorder and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's currently diagnosed PTSD is related to his claimed stressors of being shot at while flying and undergoing rocket attacks in Vietnam. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has PTSD as a result of an in-service sexual assault and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment since the initial grant of service connection, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The appellant is seeking a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected PTSD. The VA/Board has ordered further examination and additional medical records to be obtained in order to determine the current level of severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% disability, the highest possible under VA rating criteria. The TDIU claim was granted as well.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified stressors and insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder. The issue remains about service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants an effective date of August 26, 2003 for a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inadequacy of the previous psychiatric examination, which did not address relevant facts in the record and failed to diagnose PTSD based on service stressors.

The Veteran was granted a 100% evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder effective August 15, 2003. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD was aggravated during service.