PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for PTSD and there was no evidence linking his psychiatric disability to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from July 13, 2009. The disability picture more nearly approximated the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vitiligo and psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD. The current ratings are 30 percent from June 13, 2005 to April 17, 2007 and 50 percent since April 18, 2007. The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining missing VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of a depressed mood, anxiety, occasional panic attacks, and moderate insomnia with nightmares, resulting in moderate occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial rating of 50 percent have been met.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, as well as consideration of whether he wishes to have a hearing before a Decision Review Officer.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance, intrusive memories about his service in Vietnam, nightmares and flashbacks, social detachment, anger, depression, and anxiety. The initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD prior to May 4, 2009, has been granted, while a higher rating is not warranted as of that date.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate discussion in previous decisions regarding the Veteran's PTSD symptoms and their impact on his occupational functioning.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied entitlement to service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective January 2, 2004. The claim for a TDIU rating from that date has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional action due to VA's failure to comply with court instructions and because of the need for further evidence regarding the Veteran's reported parachute jump incident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected pes planus, and his psychiatric disabilities (PTSD and situational phobia) are related to active service.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions that were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 31, 2005. The current rating reflects the severity of symptoms such as chronic insomnia, nightmares, depressed mood, anxiety and panic attacks, flashbacks, irritability, hypervigilance, mild memory impairment, difficulty adapting to stressful situations, and difficulties in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining service treatment records, updating VA treatment records, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to May 1, 2006 and increased to 50 percent effective May 1, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either period.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive symptoms does not meet the criteria for an evaluation greater than 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) at the Veteran's most recent address. The appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Board has determined that hypertension was incurred in service and granted the Veteran's claim for service connection.