PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to December 3, 2008. From December 3, 2008 to March 8, 2009, the rating was increased to 30 percent. As of March 9, 2009, a higher 70 percent disability rating for PTSD was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including verification of service in Korea and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to October 8, 2009. The rating is granted as the symptoms did not worsen during the one year period before the increased rating claim.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder due to a personal assault during military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that he likely developed PTSD due to traumatic events during his military service. The evidence now supports a diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, a heart disability, and other conditions. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder 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 Board has determined that the Veteran does not suffer from PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on file regarding service connection for PTSD based on in-service personal assault. The Veteran is required to provide additional information and undergo a VA examination.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that a direct link between his military service and his adjustment disorder was established.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 50 percent since December 24, 2008. The VA examiner found moderate severity of PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, and psoriasis are all found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran also has a TDIU claim pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as a result of the Veteran's in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address service connection and TDIU claims, including clarification of the Veteran's claim for a back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the previous VA examination and need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from a qualified examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 26, 2006. The disability is characterized by moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer was not caused by or related to his service-connected conditions, and therefore denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD from January 17, 1997 to February 1, 1998 and an effective date of January 17, 1997 for the award of TDIU.