PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The appeal regarding the denial of a higher evaluation for PTSD has been remanded.

The Board found that the appellant's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been manifested by symptoms such as flashbacks, daily intrusive thoughts about his duty in Iraq, severe irritability, sleep disturbances, debilitating periods of depression, impairment in concentration and memory, and fatigue. The Board granted an initial 50 percent rating for this disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to her active service, while her bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to July 30, 2003 was productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as depression and sleep impairment. The criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's chronic back cysts and psychiatric disabilities, including GAD, depression, and PTSD, are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's HCD, ED, and BPH are also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his current PTSD is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying the Veteran's claimed stressor. The Veteran should also be given an opportunity to provide more specific information about his PTSD stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was insufficient evidence to establish an in-service stressor and the appellant did not provide sufficient information to locate any supporting records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent prior to January 26, 2006 and increased to 30 percent on and after that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The RO found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from August 24, 2006. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating of 70 percent are met due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar over the left eyebrow, finding that it is due to an injury sustained during active service. The Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriatic arthritis and a psychiatric disability (including PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 1, 1994 for service connection of PTSD is granted. The Veteran's current rating for loss of sense of smell (10%) is the maximum schedular evaluation and no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and dysthymic disorder are rated at 30 percent, the highest possible rating under DC 9411 for moderate symptoms. The Veteran's chronic tension headaches are also rated at 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and granted it. The claim of service connection for PTSD was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the appellant did not engage in combat with the enemy during service and failed to provide credible supporting evidence of a verified stressor related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 12, 2007, for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD was granted. The earliest evidence of the severity of his PTSD symptoms is dated January 21, 2004.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder contributed substantially or materially to his death during a traffic stop incident.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since May 2, 2007. The VA determined that the disability picture more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.