PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, respiratory problems including sinusitis and/or rhinitis, right elbow disability, body aches and joint pain including low back, hip, neck and bilateral knee pain, sleep impairment, fatigue, night sweats, and memory loss. The claims are based on evidence that was reopened due to new and material information.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since May 23, 2004. The evidence shows mild symptoms of anxiety and depression but no occupational or social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as there is credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, and service connection for a disability due to radiation exposure. As such, the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a head injury remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the absence of a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in January 2003. The newly submitted evidence does not provide sufficient information to verify any of the claimed stressors.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran has been exposed to in-service stressors and has a diagnosis of PTSD, but further verification is needed to confirm these stressors and determine if they occurred during his active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be attributable to service, and he was granted service connection for this condition. The status of his cardiovascular disability remains pending as the evidence does not provide a clear determination regarding its service origin.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development, including verification of stressors and medical opinions on the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service trauma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for more recent VA examination and consideration of a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by irritability, angry outbursts, anxiety, weekly panic attacks, mild memory disturbances, sleep disturbances, intrusive memories and general avoidance of crowds resulting in a mild to moderate social and occupational impairment. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from February 26, 2007 was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD remains February 26, 2007.

The Board has determined that further efforts are needed to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and to determine if he is entitled to service connection for PTSD. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, effective August 30, 2006. The Board found that the current level of impairment warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was denied due to a failure to file a timely substantive appeal, and the June 2006 rating decision is not considered to contain CUE.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including neck injury, heat exposure, thoracolumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, skin condition, tinnitus, PTSD, gastrointestinal disorder, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, and sleep disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the evidence showing only moderate impairment.