PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 14, 2008, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is established as service-connected, and he is granted a rating of 30 percent prior to April 1, 2009, and 50 percent thereafter.,PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of the grant of service connection. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms include suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting his ability to function, and difficulty with maintaining social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD results in severe impairment, including suicidal ideation and difficulty managing anger and stress. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD over the entire appellate period.

The Board has remanded the case to comply with a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) and additional notice requirements. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being reviewed due to new evidence and clarification on stressor criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for COPD prior to October 16, 2007 was granted. The effective date remains pending as the issue is still being developed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU was denied in the November 2009 Board decision. However, due to the discovery of timely responses from the Veteran regarding hearing clarification letters, the November 3, 2009, Board decision is vacated and the case is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of new and material evidence. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, but there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of any in-service stressor. As a result, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, PTSD, or a back disorder that is causally related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that he did not have a verified in-service stressor and that his reported symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating to 100 percent effective from June 30, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim. He also meets criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied as no such claim was pending prior to May 7, 1997.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment since June 27, 2006. For the period from August 21, 2000, through June 26, 2006, his PTSD more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but without total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The case is being remanded to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders found during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder not otherwise specified, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military experiences in Iraq.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, hearing loss, liver disability (including cirrhosis and hepatitis C), psychiatric disability (including PTSD and MDD), hypertension, asbestosis, residuals of a scrape injury to the back, right elbow disability, and right shoulder disability.