PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for headaches and PTSD have been partially granted, with some issues being denied. The effective date of the TDIU award is January 5, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for several reasons, including obtaining SSA records, notifying the Veteran of new regulations regarding PTSD claims based on personal assault or harassment, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The underlying issue of whether there is a link between any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders and his military service will be addressed through further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The initial ratings for PTSD and fibromyalgia are under review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing therapy records, requiring a new VA examination for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, depression and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the validity of his claimed stressors and determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder remains pending.

The Board has found that further development is necessary due to the lack of information to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors. The case is REMANDED for submitting the Veteran's claimed stressor to JSRRC and scheduling a VA examination if verified.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was incurred in service due to stressors he experienced during his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 23, 2008, for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The earliest possible effective date is April 15, 2005, when the Veteran initially filed his claim.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service connected as it is not due to a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ must be denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) was granted, with an effective date of July 3, 2008. His service connection for bilateral pes planus remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 16, 2007 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the appropriate effective date is the date entitlement arose, which was later than the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service stressors were inconsistent and not credible.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and alcohol/substance abuse were not substantiated due to lack of credible supporting evidence of claimed stressors, and he was diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic adjustment disorder (claimed as PTSD) is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective March 5, 2008. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as trouble sleeping, problems sweating, re-experiencing traumatic events, social detachment, difficulty concentrating and thinking, and a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score ranging from 51 to 65.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits information.