PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for chronic PTSD, finding that the Veteran's diagnosis is related to his experiences in Iraq during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted as a result of in-service sexual assaults. The right knee chondromalacia and TDIU claims remain pending.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examinations and private opinion did not support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, claimed as eye ulcers; a bilateral shin disability, claimed as shin splints; and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD were all denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's combined schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, depressed and anxious mood, hyperarousal, anhedonia, irritability, anger outbursts, difficulty sleeping, concentration issues, and social isolation. The Board found that these symptoms warranted a 50 percent rating for the period prior to September 30, 2008.

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 occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occasional disturbances in mood, chronic sleep impairment, and mild impaired impulse control. The disability is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and depression requires further development due to insufficient information regarding his claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current psychiatric conditions and the presence of a confirmed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as the issues of service connection for a vision disability, to include macular degeneration and PTSD with depression were withdrawn prior to decision. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development, including consideration of his claim for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since March 7, 2005. The Board has found that the disability picture most closely approximates a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected PTSD and to distinguish its symptoms from those of a nonservice-connected bipolar disorder. The TDIU claim will also be deferred pending adjudication of the PTSD rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of PTSD was denied, while his claim for schizophrenia received a favorable decision with the effective date set at February 18, 1977.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to a personal assault during military service, and all reasonable doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.