PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment in short-term and long-term memory, and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been granted, with the effective date now set at July 26, 1980. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination. The issue will be adjudicated again after all necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of complaints including sleep impairment and weakened social relationships, resulting in flattened affect, impaired memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, neglect in personal appearance and hygiene. The Board finds that the evidence is in balance between a 30 percent and 50 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 23, 1997 was granted a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has been shown to be productive of significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Veteran has been granted a disability rating of 50 percent for her PTSD from May 1, 2002 through August 22, 2006, and the claim for an increased rating beyond this date is denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD should be January 28, 1998.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective January 25, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be part of his already service-connected bipolar disorder. His increased rating for bipolar disorder from March 9, 2001 to May 2, 2007 was denied, but he received a 50% rating for the period after May 3, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to her service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an opinion in accordance with the revised regulations governing PTSD claims.

The Veteran's PTSD, with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the period of this claim. As a result, he is entitled to a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, but his anxiety disorder is related to military service. As a result, the claim for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The claim for service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available. The Board denied a higher rating and also found that there was no evidence to support service connection for discoid lupus.