PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for PTSD and TDIU due to insufficient evidence of current symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder will be readjudicated following completion of these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since the effective date of service connection, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of symptoms such as nightmares, chronic sleeping problems, hypervigilance, and avoidance behavior. However, his symptomatology does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depressive reaction are service-connected due to in-service stressors. The Veteran is also granted a rating of 20 percent for his low back strain prior to December 21, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that his claimed stressors did not occur during combat and thus he could not establish a diagnosis of PTSD based on in-service trauma. The evidence showed no psychiatric treatment or diagnoses during active military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability was granted, with a 20% rating effective March 20, 2007. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability, chest pain, and PTSD remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to credible evidence of in-service stressors and related symptoms, granting his claim.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with PTSD was found to have severe occupational and social impairment, impaired memory, passive suicidal ideation, and minimal insight and judgment. As a result, the Veteran is now assigned a 70 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, as well as more recent treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, TBI residuals, or cold injury residuals in both hands. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective July 29, 2009. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot as the claim for increased rating for PTSD arises from the same facts.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple claims for service connection and evaluation of various disabilities, including a right wrist cyst, left knee disability, psychiatric condition, PTSD, joint pain, rash, and eye/sinus infection. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board finds that the disability picture does not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's appeal was timely filed and granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD since July 1, 2004. The Veteran is currently experiencing total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting himself or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, and memory loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the claimed stressors and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and review of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to sexual assaults in service that have been adequately corroborated, and the Board has determined that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors during active service in the Gulf War. The case is now pending further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for malaria, PTSD, dementia with neurological deficits, and chronic cystitis. The decision also found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a lack of qualifying military service.