PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, effective from March 10, 2003. The appellant's PTSD is currently manifested by symptoms of depression, difficulty with sleep, nightmares, recurrent thoughts and memories about Vietnam, feelings of anxiety due to recollection of memories and flashbacks, avoidance of people and stimuli that recall Vietnam experiences, and feelings of withdrawal.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD. The Board has determined that the earliest claim for service connection was received on March 30, 1987, and a VA treatment report dated April 15, 1986, related to PTSD. Therefore, the effective date is set at April 15, 1986.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the diagnoses of all psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated under the new regulations regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and his stressor is related to this engagement, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim on appeal can be properly adjudicated, and the Veteran's psychiatric disability must be evaluated in light of her reported fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran is entitled to a 50 percent initial rating for service-connected depression with PTSD for the entire rating period, effective from the date of discharge.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was withdrawn during a hearing. The Board granted the TDIU claim, finding that his service-connected disabilities (PTSD and bilateral hearing loss) preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

For the initial rating period from August 26, 1999 through March 7, 2005, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by mild or transient symptoms that decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411 were met.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms of dysphoria, fatigue, lack of motivation, mild difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbance, nightmares, loss of appetite and discomfort when reminded of in-service trauma. These symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal). The Board finds that a 30 percent rating is warranted for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claim for an extraschedular evaluation for fibromyalgia was denied, and the issue of TDIU is not addressed in this decision but may be considered as part of the TDIU claim.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD and denied both PTSD and depression claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in service, with the Board granting service connection based on direct evidence of a stressor related to his military experience.

The Board has remanded the case to clarify whether the Veteran's depression is causally related to service, and to verify the claimed PTSD stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied her claim. The Board also determined that there is no evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist being related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD has not caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking.

The Board has determined that additional development of the claim is necessary prior to appellate review, including providing VCAA notice and gathering VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD will be remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA outpatient records, schedule appropriate examinations, and adjudicate his diabetes mellitus claim.