PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD is related to active military service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting and contradictory statements and findings concerning the Veteran's medical history and psychiatric manifestations, which do not provide a clear assessment of the current severity of his PTSD. The Veteran needs further evaluation by a psychiatrist.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not demonstrate any additional impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating for this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, which includes Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Veteran's current mental health issues are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a need to consider other psychiatric disorders and obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30% from March 28, 2006 to July 16, 2007. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to and after this period.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, left wrist ganglion cyst, and left knee disability. Service connection is granted for bilateral tinea pedis (foot fungus).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor. The claim for anxiety disorder other than PTSD was also denied as there is no competent or credible evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his disability is not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

Service connection for PTSD was denied as the appellant's statements regarding his claimed in-service stressors were not credible.,The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including depression, has been reopened due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 19, 2007. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective July 27, 2005. The appeal for an increased rating prior to May 14, 2009 is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the appellant did not have a diagnosed disability for which service connection could be granted. The stressor claimed by the appellant was not corroborated, and thus service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of arthritis and there is no evidence to support service connection for this condition. For PTSD, while the Veteran contends he developed the disorder due to in-service personal assault, VA's special obligation to assist in establishing an in-service stressor was not met as corroborating evidence was not provided.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for PTSD, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the June 1997 vocational rehabilitation services report constituted new and material evidence, allowing for consideration of an earlier effective date for the PTSD rating.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and determine whether the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy, which could potentially establish a stressor for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression and PTSD, which he attributes to his military service. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to his in-service experiences.