PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his reported sexual assault in service is credible and supported by evidence of behavior changes.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, pre-existed service and was not aggravated by active duty. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported stressors have been corroborated, and thus service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are associated with in-service stressors that have been corroborated by credible supporting evidence.

The Board determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD due to in-service stressors. The acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, is found to be related to pre-existing conditions. Borderline personality disorder was also denied as it is not considered a compensable condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 22, 2007 and granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from May 22, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and the Veteran's refusal to attend a VA examination. The case will be returned for further development, including another examination by a different provider.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding in-service stressors and to determine if there is sufficient information to corroborate them. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

From May 10, 2004 through July 4, 2007, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,From July 5, 2007, the Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as impaired judgment, suicidal ideation; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritic changes of the lumbar spine and PTSD were denied. The Veteran's arthritic changes of the lumbar spine are currently rated at 10 percent, while his PTSD is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence, while the issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD is addressed in the remand.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety and depression have been rated at 70 percent since December 15, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 21, 2005. Since August 27, 2009, the rating has been increased to 50 percent. Service connection for coronary artery disease and a respiratory disorder secondary to PTSD have not been established.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records, verifying stressful events during service, and providing a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not caused by VA medical treatment in April 2005, nor was such aggravated by VA medical treatment or the result of an event not reasonably foreseeable. Therefore, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for headaches, which he claims are related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.