PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran did not have PTSD and that his claimed psychiatric disorder is not related to service. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on January 13, 2005. The earliest medical evidence diagnosing the condition is from May 4, 2006.,The Veteran submitted an informal claim for TDIU on March 28, 2005 and it is factually ascertainable that he met the criteria for a grant of TDIU on November 20, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD from 20% to 70% has been granted. The case is now remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to secure updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric evaluation. The case will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 5, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in and caused by his military service, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD based on new evidence that corroborates his alleged in-service stressors. The case is now remanded to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found no in-service head injury or disease, and thus denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's service experience constitutes a stressor for posttraumatic stress disorder and whether his depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and have been medically linked to his current diagnosis. The hearing loss claim is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, as he has reported worsening symptoms and testified that he was unable to drive due to increased anger.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling prior to October 30, 2009. From October 30, 2009, the disability was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of a depressed mood, anxiety, weekly panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and nightmares, resulting in moderate occupational and social impairment. The Board finds the evidence sufficient to support a 50 percent disability rating but no higher for the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with a major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects moderate impairment. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe disability levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have a combined effect on his lower extremities so as to effectively preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 8, 2008, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no indication that he filed a claim within one year of his discharge from service.