PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from March 10, 2006. The claim for TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent since January 31, 2007 and increased to 70 percent effective March 9, 2009. The appeal is granted for a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by not more than definite occupational and social impairment due to symptoms that included depressed mood, sleeplessness, and anxiety prior to June 26, 1996. The rating for PTSD has been increased to 100 percent effective in June 1996.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, as his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation than the currently assigned 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, reflecting total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to work. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation and training due to failure to maintain satisfactory conduct in his Rehabilitation Plan, specifically failing to complete an extended work evaluation and not conforming to VA procedures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating, finding that the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to his February 15, 2005 application. The effective date is set at February 15, 2005.

Since November 9, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as near continuous depression, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and impaired impulse control. Prior to that time, he did not experience deficiencies in most areas due to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to not warrant a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 16, 2006 and not warrant a disability rating in excess of 50 percent from that date. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verifying the in-service stressor and determining if his current psychiatric conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, and his claim for service connection of actinic keratoses and skin cancer was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflects his disability. The Veteran was also denied TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors. However, it granted service connection for hepatitis C based on reopening of the claim with new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms and impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social disability prior to August 12, 2008. The Board finds that the criteria for a 100 percent rating have been met during this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors and the Veteran did not engage in combat during his active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.