PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his service-connected conditions alone do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in service and is not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD during or within one year after service, and the claim cannot be granted based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from March 25, 2003 through April 28, 2009. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for any time period during the appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted as secondary to her military service due to the occurrence of sexual assault during her time in the military.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and a psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia, a diagnosed condition, is as likely as not attributable to traumatic events during his military service. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including schizophrenia and PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective September 23, 2010. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.

The Board found that there is no credible supporting evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressor, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic PTSD and remanded the issue of an initial compensable disability evaluation for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and a digestive disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service stressors related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, requires additional development and is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and an opinion on whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, back pain, bunions, groin disorder, diverticulum, and PTSD were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including PTSD, gastrointestinal problems, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA psychiatric and industrial examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after these examinations are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from May 1998 to May 2006. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 5, 2009 for PTSD and entitlement to an effective date prior to July 15, 2005 for the grant of service connection for PTSD are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent, tinnitus at 10 percent, and hypertension is not service connected.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for bipolar disorder with PTSD due to new evidence received since the September 2004 rating decision, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's reported stressors are being verified.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 2008, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The evidence does not show a higher rating as required by the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.