PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD, which is characterized by depression, insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts and memories, hypervigilance, irritability, outbursts of anger, low energy, avoidance of crowds, fireworks, war movies, and television, social isolation, startle response, survivor's guilt, poor concentration, feelings of guilt and hopelessness, paucity of speech, slowing of psychomotor skills, impaired short term memory, limited judgment, poor appetite, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships, is currently rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as the claim was received more than one year after service separation.,The Veteran's request for a permanent total disability rating for PTSD was also denied due to lack of evidence indicating that his condition will improve over time.,The Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied because no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date for service connection is February 26, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including records from the Veteran's former employer and VA clinical records. The TDIU claim is considered inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective May 12, 1998. The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a retrospective medical examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's PTSD from December 21, 1989, to October 31, 1990.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, with the diagnosis being based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and its impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA records before February 2005 and reviewing the results of any fecal blood tests. The claim will be adjudicated again after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 17, 2008. The rating reflects significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disability and the symptoms reported do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and alcohol dependence. The Board found that there was no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors or a link between current psychiatric conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action, including obtaining relevant medical records from various healthcare providers. The effective dates for service connection and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to exposure to combat stressors during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining testimony from the Veteran at the General Court-martial of Lieutenant Curry and verifying his role as a confidential source in the investigation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 2007. The VA has determined that the current level of impairment does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine whether service connection is warranted for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, on a direct and secondary basis.