PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression, and panic disorder. The decision is based on the occurrence of in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD with depression and an organic brain disorder resulting from a 1993 motorcycle accident, are granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is not manifested by certain symptoms required for a higher rating, and the Board denied his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that it warrants a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance, finding that no new claims were filed prior to September 26, 2001.

The Board has determined that there is no credible supporting evidence for the Veteran's claimed stressful incident, and thus cannot establish service connection for PTSD. The claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and polysubstance abuse secondary thereto, is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an appropriate VA physician to review his claims file and provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that his service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70% disabling since October 26, 2007. The rating remains unchanged as the evidence does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 11, 1994 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. The claim for an effective date earlier than June 1, 2004 for additional compensation for dependents was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by social withdrawal, delusions, occupational impairment, and mood changes for the entire appeal period. A 50 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain Vet Center records and a new VA examination. The issues of TDIU and secondary service connection for alcoholic liver disease, alcohol induced pancreatitis, and peptic ulcer disease/alcoholic gastritis are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including review of unconsidered VA Vocational Rehabilitation Feasibility Determination and clinical records from the Dallas, Texas VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the VA examinations did not show symptoms that would warrant a higher rating for anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as a depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, and nightmares. The VA has determined that the current rating of 30 percent is insufficient to reflect his disability level, and has granted a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no competent and credible medical or other evidence confirming the diagnosis of PTSD according to DSM-IV criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent credible evidence of a current disability or causally related to active service. The Veteran was not found to have a bilateral ankle disability, lower back disability, or hypertension secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD is denied as his attempt to raise a freestanding earlier effective date claim was not timely filed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records from a therapist. A psychiatric examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disabilities.