PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. She also seeks to reopen her claim for service connection for substance abuse, which she contends is secondary to her diagnosed psychiatric disorders. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional evidence.

The Board has expanded the claim to include other diagnosed psychiatric disorders and is remanding it for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD causes occupational impairment, occasional nightmares, intrusive thoughts, irritability, depression, and fleeting suicidal ideation with no plan or intent. The current rating of 50 percent is appropriate.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found a low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his combat service in Korea.

The Veteran's adjustment depressive disorder, including anxiety and a depressed mood, is related to his service. The claim for PTSD is also granted based on the reopening of the claim due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and PTSD, as well as his TDIU and DEA claims, have been withdrawn by the appellant. The earlier effective date claims are also dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from July 13, 2009.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD, effective January 1, 2006, as the reduction was not in accordance with law.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board found that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS is service-connected as it is related to his active duty military experience. Service connection for PTSD was also granted. The claims for hypertension and anemia were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD was dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 5, 1997 for the award of TDIU based on VA outpatient treatment records indicating the Veteran was totally disabled due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD causes moderate to severe disability without deficiencies in most areas of work, school, family relations, thinking, mood or judgment. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his claimed stressors are related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and are consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of his service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA and VetCenter treatment records related to the Veteran's mental health issues.

The Board found the Veteran's reported stressors not credible and denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective the date of service connection. The Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further action.