PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further development, including verification of stressors and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left arm radiculopathy was reopened and granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level of 100 percent since its initial grant, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should undergo a VA examination to more accurately assess his PTSD, and also needs updated VA outpatient treatment records. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that her experiences in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield are a valid stressor leading to her current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current level of functionality.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 26, 2004. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied as the earliest date of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is April 26, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD results in difficulty sleeping, mild intrusive thoughts, with manifestations resulting in no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depression, sleep problems and fatigue, muscle and joint aches, headaches, sinusitis, acid peptic disease with reflux symptoms, and lumbar strain have been granted. The Veteran is assigned a 10 percent evaluation for acid peptic disease with reflux symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 16, 2006. The Board found that the disability warranted a higher rating of 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the current disability picture most nearly approximates a 50% evaluation for PTSD, which is the highest schedular rating available.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and de novo review due to the Veteran's claim of service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The issue is currently in a pending state.

The Veteran's service connection claim for psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran had verified combat stressors and thus established a diagnosis of PTSD due to his in-service experiences on submarines.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 25, 2000. This rating is the highest available under the criteria for evaluating PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and adjudicative action due to the need for a new Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.