PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by suicidal ideations, obsessional rituals including self-mutilation, recurrent flashbacks and nightmares, and an inability to establish effective relationships. The Board finds the evidence supports a rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal as to the claim of service connection for gastroenteritis is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran did not provide sufficient information or authorization for obtaining additional pertinent treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide an opportunity for a supplemental statement of the case and further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 31, 2002. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have also been met due to the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from December 19, 2003 to June 27, 2008 and then increased to 50 percent effective June 28, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 31, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor related to the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on a corroborated in-service stressor, and thus service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by moderate symptoms, including intermittent impaired short term memory and fleeting suicidal thoughts. The Board finds that the current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for PTSD and associated disorders was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of chronic disability related to service or a showing of continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no verified in-service stressor to support his diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 10 percent, but the Board has now determined that a higher 30 percent rating is warranted as of October 15, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a crush injury of the distal phalanx, left long finger was granted. Service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were denied, but service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for visual disturbance, poor concentration, lupus erythematosus, Reiter's syndrome, a cervical spine disorder, a left knee disorder, and PTSD are denied. The claim for service connection for mental disturbance/trauma flashback is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed traumatic experiences during service.