PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant's representative withdrew the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the Veteran maintains effective work relationships and has no significant impairments in judgment, abstract thinking, motivation or mood.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure were denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor or disease, respectively. The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat operations and his service records do not support a claim of brown water Navy service. Diabetes was also not shown within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 1, 2006, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to obtain records from the Commonwealth of Virginia regarding a motor vehicle accident involving Patrick Williams.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 26, 2004. The Board found that the condition warrants a higher rating due to its severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD from December 30, 1992 to January 24, 1999 due to total occupational impairment.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher initial disability ratings and service connection claims. The issues of PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left leg radiculopathy, right knee degenerative joint disease, tinea corpora, premature ejaculation disorder (secondary to PTSD), and dyspepsia (secondary to PTSD) were all denied.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that he did not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD related to his inservice stressors and that most of his symptoms were best accounted for by a depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed in-service stressor and for obtaining VA treatment records since May 2010.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is granted as the evidence supports that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his military service and have been linked to his current condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal involves a claim for an increased rating for PTSD and seeking an earlier effective date for TDIU. The Board has remanded the case to clarify when the Veteran's PTSD precluded employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, but the Board found that his disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's PTSD and did not address his claim for a TDIU due to PTSD. The case is being remanded for further action, including adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to mild symptoms including occasional depressed mood or anxiety, exaggerated startle response, some suspiciousness, frequent intrusive thoughts, occasional flashbacks, chronic sleep impairment due to nightmares, some loss of interest in leisure activities, and irritability with verbal assaultiveness. The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.