PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 13, 2002. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial evaluation of 70 percent have been met.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was granted, but the service connection is determined to be on the merits (direct), not via a presumption or secondary condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, defective vision, loss of sensation to left arm, right leg disability, and chronic headaches. The evidence submitted since the previous denial is considered new and material, allowing these claims to be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking information from SSA. The appellant's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including isolation, exaggerated startle response, avoidance, interrupted sleep, nightmares, and irritability before April 15, 2010. From April 15, 2010, the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation have been met.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted because he was in combat and experienced traumatic events that are presumed to have occurred, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to his in-service stressors involving actual or threatened death and serious injury. After resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the periods from November 7, 1994 to January 16, 1997, March 1, 1997 to November 2, 2008, and January 1, 2009 to May 7, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by intrusive memories, anger and depression resulting in moderate impairment of social and occupational functioning. The current symptomatology warrants a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date prior to September 23, 2010, for the grant of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD and Dependent's Educational Assistance has been granted. The effective date is set at December 23, 1994.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as his account of the claimed in-service stressors is inherently incredible and not substantiated.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for PTSD and an earlier effective date for TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from September 19, 2007. Prior to this date, the rating was 50 percent.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is not due to his service-connected disabilities, and he does not qualify for SMC based on being housebound by reason of a single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify her claimed stressors and consider a recent amendment to VA regulations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in PTSD and right shoulder disability, leaving only the hypertension rating issue to be decided.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was improperly reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, and the Board has restored the original 70 percent evaluation effective December 1, 2006.

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 Board has remanded the case for proper notification regarding new and material evidence, as well as obtaining personnel records from the National Personnel Records Center. The issue of whether the character of discharge constitutes a bar to VA benefits will be reconsidered.