PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 5, 2004. However, starting from February 6, 2005, the disability resulted in total occupational impairment.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from February 25, 1982 to August 23, 1998. The moving party's motion did not meet the requirements for a clear and unmistakable error (CUE) and was dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions or their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed stressors are sufficient to have caused his PTSD and whether there exists a nexus between the established stressors and the PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since June 15, 2004. The fibromyalgia rating remains at 40 percent. The left and right foot plantar fasciitis ratings are both 10 percent. The cholecystectomy residuals remain at 0 percent. The IBS is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that this level of disability warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by suicidal ideation, panic attacks, depression and anxiety, circumstantial speech, memory impairment, impaired judgment and abstract thinking, and reduced reliability and productivity at work for the period from February 1, 2005 to September 12, 2005. For the rating period from September 13, 2005 to September 30, 2008, PTSD was manifested by hypervigilance and anxiety, panic attacks, and mild memory loss.

The Board is expanding the Veteran's claim to include all psychiatric disorders and has ordered a VA examination to determine if his current mental health conditions, including PTSD, are related to an assault during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as his claim was not timely appealed and there is no legal basis to grant such a request.

The Veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has found the most recent examination report to be inadequate upon which to base the decision in this case and has therefore ordered a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and a General Anxiety Disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration if necessary.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service stressors or a link to military service, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depression was granted, effective February 12, 2001. The effective date of service connection for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with increased urinary frequency was also established as March 15, 2000.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 2, 2004. The symptoms have included mild occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and the Board finds that his current symptoms are linked to his reported stressors during service, which involve witnessing enemy fire and seeing comrades injured or killed. As such, the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his claims for increased ratings for anxiety and depressive disorder were granted with a 50% schedular rating effective from April 14, 2006. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Veteran's skin disorder and PTSD are not service connected, and the claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and PTSD have been granted, with a disability rating of 30 percent effective December 17, 2009.