PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and increased rating for calcification of the left medial collateral ligament is being remanded due to incomplete verification of stressor allegations, need for further examination regarding PTSD diagnosis, and need for clarification on whether physical examination was conducted on the right or left knee.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, which he contends resulted from his service in Iraq. The Board finds insufficient evidence to adjudicate the claim at this time and remands it for further development.

The Board has determined that the current evidence is inadequate to determine the current state of the appellant's disability and remanded for a new VA examination. The appeal also includes an issue regarding entitlement to TDIU, which is deferred pending the development requested.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once per week, difficulty in understanding complex commands, impaired memory, impaired judgment, impaired abstract thinking, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships. The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and/or PTSD, was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for this condition was also denied. The Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities was not established.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from January 11, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher initial rating of 70 percent prior to January 11, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran contends his PTSD symptoms have worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, is related to his active military service and granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and xerosis, finding that the Veteran's currently diagnosed conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted and assigned a noncompensable (30%) evaluation, which was later increased to 30% effective October 1, 2006.

For the appeal period prior to September 29, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,Since September 29, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD has resulted in a higher degree of social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 8, 2005. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% disabling, and his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. His heart palpitations are not service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and considering new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 70 percent rating is warranted throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The matter of expanding service connection for PTSD to include alcohol dependence will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and residuals of cold injuries of the hands, feet, and legs has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, were denied as there was no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD, and the Board dismissed this issue. The claim for an increased rating for asymptomatic healed duodenal ulcer remains pending.