PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100 percent effective from July 15, 1993, due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation or own name.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, as there is a current diagnosis and a causal link to an in-service stressor. The death of R.P., one of the reported stressors, was verified.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his adjustment disorder was related to recent personal events, not service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by near total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. The claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU will be readjudicated following this development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his Social Security Administration records. The RO will also obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as he did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to July 24, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted. Service connection was denied for chloracne, exposure to Agent Orange, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to February 2, 2008 was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, anger, intrusive recollections, violent dreams and nightmares, sleep impairment, alcohol abuse, social isolation, disturbances of motivation and mood, and some difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and additional medical records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found no evidence of in-service personal assaults or stressors for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was denied as service connection could not be established based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for an initial 70 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to hypertension and PTSD, finding that this is a direct service connection based on the medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as her reported sexual assault during active duty constitutes a stressor for which she provided credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional notice under VCAA, as well as obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders and PTSD. The RO will also obtain relevant VA medical records from November 2007 onwards.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 50 percent, which reflects moderate impairment. The appeal for a higher rating was denied as the symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, concluding that there is no competent medical evidence linking his current PTSD to any incident in service.