PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from October 1, 2007 through July 15, 2008 and increased to 50 percent effective July 16, 2008. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent evaluation. The Board found that the symptoms more nearly approximate a finding of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an initial evaluation of 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically to attacks on the ammunition depot at Qui Nhon in Vietnam. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable, staged initial disability rating for PTSD and the grant of an effective date prior to February 25, 2005 for TDIU are both pending. The Board has remanded these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his claimed stressors had not been corroborated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and provide a complete record of his service.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with the diagnosis of PTSD and supported by his military training and experiences. The other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The issues of increased ratings for tarsal tunnel syndrome and earlier effective dates were not addressed due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling as of June 21, 2006. The symptoms include anxiety, obsessive traits, intrusive thoughts, depression, an exaggerated startle response, and hyperarousal, resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified stressor and the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 26, 2002 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The earliest diagnosis of PTSD was provided on a treatment report dated September 27, 2002.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is currently rated at 70 percent effective May 28, 2003. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by anxiety, intrusive thoughts of combat, nightmares, sleep disturbance, anger, irritability, and impaired impulse control. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a total schedular evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not fully adjudicated and requires additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), hypertension secondary to psychiatric disability, and alcoholism and drug abuse secondary to psychiatric disability will be reconsidered after the development.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD are found to be related to service, including her experiences of harassment due to her sexual orientation during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and fatigue was denied due to the lack of a verified stressor related to his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's incarceration and conducting a line of duty determination. The Veteran is also required to submit any evidence that his conviction was overturned.