PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat or provide credible evidence of stressors related to fear of hostile military activity, and thus denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by hypervigilance, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, diminished interest and participation in activities, social isolation, feelings of detachment from others, chronic anxiety, near-continuous depression, and persistent suicidal ideation resulting in several past suicide attempts. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD are met.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are currently rated appropriately, but his claim for service connection of ear fungus is denied as there is no indication that the disability or persistent/ recurrent symptoms may be associated with his service.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation in excess of 50 percent for the period from March 27, 2006 to July 31, 2007.

The Veteran claims PTSD due to a personal assault during service. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining deck logs and VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his TMJ syndrome and a need for an increased rating for PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD must be remanded to allow for a VA examination and medical opinion, as there is evidence of a current disability, evidence of stressful events in service, lay evidence of continuing stress and anxiety following service, which indicates that the Veteran's PTSD may be related to his military service, but insufficient medical evidence on which to decide the claim.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a skin disorder of the feet have been reopened, and service connection has been granted. The claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, which is service-connected, substantially and materially contributed to his death by causing him to commit suicide.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder or PTSD related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent, and service connection for varicose veins is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in total social and occupational impairment prior to November 16, 2003. Beginning February 1, 2004, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms demonstrated social and occupational impairment with deficiencies in most areas but did not reflect total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include severe depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 11, 2006. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher initial rating have been met and grants an evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD from April 11, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 13, 2004. An effective date of August 26, 2004 was granted for the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric or psychological pathology. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered in light of the new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as the result of disease or injury during his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in service, with the diagnosis supported by a VA clinical psychologist.