PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board found that credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor to support the diagnosis of PTSD has not been presented, and as a result, the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The appellant's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as there is evidence of a current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset in active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim for entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination, and considering all evidence in determining whether service connection is warranted for PTSD or depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical records and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for vertigo and PTSD are pending.

The Board found the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors less than credible and thus denied service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders. The headache claim was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 20, 2010. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 30, 2005. The Board found that the symptoms prior to this date did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded it to allow further development, including consideration of new evidence and regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied. The VA compensation claim for the surgical removal of a growth on his lower spine in 1974 was granted, but no additional disability or aggravation due to VA treatment is recognized.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and are related to his in-service stressors. The Veteran also has been diagnosed with depressive disorder not otherwise specified and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, but these conditions do not warrant separate grants of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by symptoms including nightmares, hypervigilance, irritability, flashbacks, and some social impairment prior to April 30, 2010. From that date, the Veteran's PTSD was characterized by symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, difficulties with concentration and memory, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depressed mood, irritability, hypervigilance, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD has been shown to result in total social and occupational impairment, leading the Board to grant a 100 percent evaluation for his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a disability evaluation of 70 percent effective from April 6, 2009. The appeal for TDIU is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and status post stress fracture of the left foot. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, his hearing loss at non-compensable (0 percent), and his left foot disability at non-compensable (0 percent).

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding an in-service stressor and the application of the amended 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Vocational Rehabilitation file and readjudication of the claims.