PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 11, 2005 for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from May 12, 2010. The Veteran's symptoms have been found to warrant this higher rating due to severe hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, avoidance, memory problems, increased anxiety, panic attacks, poor concentration, depression, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and TDIU due to lack of evidence linking his current disability to service. The Veteran was granted a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence to verify her reported in-service personal assault stressors. The Veteran was not found to have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, preventing him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. His combined disability rating is at least 70 percent since November 15, 2002.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities. The PTSD, right inguinal hernia scar, and two missile injury scars were all rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify in-service stressors and determine the presence of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders will also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflects his disability level. The Veteran was not granted a higher evaluation for his PTSD as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues on April 27, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, as he testified that his condition has worsened since the last evaluation in March 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from November 9, 1998 to April 16, 2003. From April 17, 2003 to March 14, 2005, the rating was reduced to 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by sleep disturbance, anxiety, irritability, anger problems, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hyper vigilance, and difficulty getting along with others. The current level of impairment does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam.

From May 3, 2006, to February 26, 2007, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms that most closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.,Effective from March 3, 2009, to May 5, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms that most closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and authorization forms for private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in service, and the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain is granted.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and his service-connected conditions preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted an increased evaluation to 50 percent for PTSD effective from January 10, 2009. The Veteran's initial claim of entitlement to a higher rating was denied.