PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his in-service stressors based on fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms since August 26, 2009 have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD effective from August 26, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted effective February 18, 1997. From February 18, 1997 to May 4, 2004, he was awarded a disability rating of 30 percent for PTSD. As of July 1, 2004, his PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was denied, and his appeal for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is found to have a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is linked to his reported military trauma involving enemy fire during his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected PTSD and TDIU, finding that no such effective dates were established at the time of his death.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling prior to July 19, 2005; 50 percent from July 19, 2005 to May 5, 2006; and 70 percent since May 6, 2006. The claims for higher ratings were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the VA examiner's findings and further examination or testing.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a psychiatric disability during service or within one year of separation, and there was no credible evidence supporting his claimed in-service stressors. As such, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD and PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service and he has a diagnosis of PTSD associated with those stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD. The Veteran's in-service experiences are being reviewed to determine if they support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent, effective April 27, 2004. Service connection for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial increased schedular rating for PTSD and his request for an earlier effective date for service connection. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of a gunshot wound of the right thigh were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately reflected the severity of the conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 100% disability rating. The Veteran's PTSD is also granted, but the RO must obtain VA treatment records from November 2007 and schedule an examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's loss of consciousness episode is not service-connected, but his PTSD warrants a 30 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 25, 2008. The claim for a TDIU is granted.