PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to February 25, 2010 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (increased rating) while others were denied (initial rating).

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service treatment records from the Veteran's Naval Reserve service period. The Veteran is required to provide additional information about his reserve service and any relevant medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective July 19, 2007. The rating is for occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as panic attacks, obsessional rituals that interfere with routine activities, difficulty concentrating, diminished interest in activities productive of occupational and social impairment, and a flattened affect.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 4, 2005. The Board found that the Veteran was continuously employed full-time until October 20, 2009 and thus did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to this date. Beginning October 20, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent due to his inability to work.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, and the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, and cognitive disorder were withdrawn prior to a decision.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The RO has ordered the Veteran to undergo a VA examination and requested additional records from his VA care providers.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence, including obtaining records from other VA facilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected migraine headaches and PTSD, as well as TDIU, was withdrawn by the Veteran in August 2010. The case is being remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD contributed substantially to his fatal morphine intoxication.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were found to meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating from December 3, 2001 to September 24, 2002.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted based on her in-service personal assaults and the current diagnoses of PTSD linked to these stressors.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his diagnosed psychiatric disorders, which include PTSD, major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and an unspecified anxiety disorder. The Board has determined that more development is needed to establish the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of symptoms of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors, and without such evidence, a diagnosis of PTSD based on these events lacks probative value.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, sleep disorder, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety and PTSD, as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied claim for reflux esophagitis with hiatal hernia. The TDIU rating claim is also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unemployable for the period prior to February 12, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 6, 2005, for a 50 percent rating for PTSD, finding that symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity were not present prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his Substantive Appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a 70 percent disability rating effective from November 13, 2007. The claim for chloracne remains in appellate status.