PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted due to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that with resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor, an initial evaluation of 50 percent should be granted.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding his service connection claims for bilateral knee disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, and a lower back disorder. The Board found that his PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating (deficiencies in most areas) but did meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating (reduced reliability and productivity).

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 24, 2001 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 29, 2007. The Board found that the disability picture more nearly approximates a 70 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, depression, anxiety, self-isolation and difficulty in relationships. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as they do not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded his claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in grossly inappropriate behavior and persistent danger of hurting self or others, warranting a 100 percent rating for the period prior to July 5, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's diagnosed major depression is found to have resulted from his service, specifically the August 1994 motorcycle accident.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 2, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a pulmonary disorder (chronic bronchitis due to asbestos exposure). The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 30, 2004. The rating was increased to 10 percent from January 21, 2006 and to 30 percent effective December 17, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been granted, with a 10% disability rating effective from November 17, 2009. The case is now pending further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence of a stressor event in service. The claim for increased rating for chondromalacia, left patella, was not addressed as it is related to the remanded issue.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD from May 1, 1997 to February 28, 2000.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a head injury and PTSD due to failure to conduct VA examinations as directed in prior remands. The Veteran's absence from these examinations is being addressed with rescheduling.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 2004 and increased to 70 percent effective June 3, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any PTSD and the current severity of his service-connected major depressive/anxiety disorders. The effective date for the grant of service connection for these conditions will also be reconsidered.