PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The VA has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, but not higher. The symptoms described by the Veteran do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from cardiac arrest due to systemic inflammatory syndrome, thus granting service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 4, 2007. This rating reflects the severity of his symptoms, including social isolation, avoidance thoughts, intrusive memories and nightmares, hypervigilance, hyperstartle response, irritability, anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, mild memory loss, impaired concentration, and difficulty in maintaining social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been shown to be manifested by deficiencies in work, judgment, thinking, family relations, and mood, as well as panic attacks occurring up to 3-4 times per week, nightmares, and suicidal ideation. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder and PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the personal assault claim.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted, but the RO assigned a 10 percent disability rating. The Board found that prior to March 23, 2009, the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms and GAF scores. Since March 23, 2009, he met criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, but denied both claims for type 2 diabetes and hypertension as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with a rating of 70 percent and an effective date of February 16, 2005.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports reopening. The Board also determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, but did not rule out other psychiatric conditions such as bipolar affective disorder and depression.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, a respiratory system disability, and hypertension. The appellant's dishonorable discharge barred him from VA compensation benefits related to his period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on evidence showing a current diagnosis and a link between his in-service experiences and his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the in-service stressor and verification of depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD was granted, with a final effective date of December 7, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for various disabilities resulting from diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral lower extremity vascular disease was denied. The Veteran's PTSD also resulted in a denial of an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD due to stressors incurred during service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

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

The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as schizoaffective disorder. The appeal is dismissed as the grant of service connection falls within the scope of the Clemons decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent from August 10, 2006 to May 11, 2010. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for this condition effective May 12, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active duty service. The Veteran was exposed to stressors during basic training, which led to PTSD.