PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD is associated with in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder has been rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The appeal for an increased rating remains in appellate status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of CUE in the September 1993 rating decision that assigned an effective date of October 19, 1987 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and a 30 percent schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent effective June 30, 2008. The Board denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is related to service. The appellant must provide additional evidence and cooperate with VA in obtaining any relevant records.

The Veteran's memory loss is attributed to his service-connected PTSD, and not a separate condition.,His digestive problems are related to known clinical diagnoses of GERD and hiatal hernia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a relationship between his current psychiatric conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities' impact on his employability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 23, 2008. Prior to that date, the rating was increased from 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending due to the need for updated evidence and an examination. The RO has been instructed to obtain all relevant records, including treatment from the Vet Center and any accident reports.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe symptoms including continuous depressed and anxious mood, suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control with rage, social isolation, strained relationships, poor attention and concentration, frequent panic attacks, limited insight, personal hygiene issues, and PTSD symptoms described as 'severe'. He has occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Veteran is granted a 70 percent disability rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and clarification of his representation. The issues of service connection for PTSD, depression, and COPD are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from Dr. Wasserman, to determine if he served in Vietnam and whether his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe symptoms including anxiety, depression, insomnia, anger, irritability, decreased energy, panic attacks occurring several times a day, three suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation recurring periodically. The evidence shows that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD beginning February 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since February 2007. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not demonstrate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from Dr. Hoeper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor, and the current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial PTSD rating was denied, with the RO finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating prior to April 29, 2003. From April 29, 2003, to August 14, 2005, he continued to receive a 30 percent rating for PTSD.