PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, is not related to his service or any in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service records verifying the Veteran's report of bailing out of an aircraft during combat, and further development is needed to determine if this stressor is sufficient for PTSD diagnosis or related to any other established psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, left ankle post-traumatic changes of the malleoli with residual pain, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since January 30, 2008. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity due to such issues as difficulty understanding complex commands, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work relationships.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local Regional Office.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from November 30, 2005. The evidence shows symptoms consistent with a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC for additional development. The issues on appeal are an initial increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that July 31, 2003 is the earliest possible date from which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and the claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The case will also be reviewed to determine if a claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) should be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from September 20, 2001 to June 10, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and then returning it to the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by moderate symptoms resulting in reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational or social impairment. The current disability rating of 30 percent is maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found the preponderance of evidence did not support a rating greater than 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The Veteran appealed this decision, and the Court granted a joint motion for remand requiring further detail on reasons and bases of the decision, consideration of referral for an extraschedular rating, and consideration of entitlement to TDIU due to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder is manifested by severe symptoms, including depression, nervous mannerisms, panic attacks, and impaired concentration. The VA has granted a 50 percent evaluation for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the effective date of service connection, with symptoms including anger and irritability, social isolation, hypervigilance, intermittent sleep disorder, and alcohol abuse. The current rating is appropriate given these symptoms.