PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the service connection claim for PTSD, which was initially denied in May 2003. The Veteran provided more detailed stressor information subsequent to the September 2004 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% from August 4, 2005. The appellant argues that the Veteran should have been rated at 100% for more than eight years prior to his death in June 2006, but this is not sufficient to meet the criteria for enhanced DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 2006. The appeal is for an increase in the disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim should include consideration of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include manic depressive disorder. The case is REMANDED for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have remained consistent, with occupational and social impairment due to irritability, anger, depressive episodes, avoidance behavior, sleep disturbance, alcohol binges, hyperstartle, anxiety, and hypervigilance. A 70 percent rating is granted from May 30, 2006, but no higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to depression, anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbance, and self-isolation. The Board finds that the disability more nearly approximates the level of disability contemplated by a 50 percent rating under DC 9411.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms more nearly approximate a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to conflicting evidence and the need for clarification of his employment status. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the Board finds that he engaged in combat and his stressors are consistent with his duties as a fire control technician aboard a destroyer during Vietnam. The medical evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VRT records and VA treatment records. He also needs to be provided a supplemental statement of the case regarding his claim for a higher initial evaluation for fibromyalgia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than August 15, 2009 for service connection for PTSD and GAD, finding that the first diagnosis of PTSD was dated on August 15, 2009. The opinion relating the GAD to PTSD is not considered sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and reserve service records. The claims will be re-adjudicated based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression with chronic adjustment disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for inclusion of PTSD as a component of his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already compensated for all of his psychiatric symptomatology by means of his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and no separate and distinct symptoms from those already contemplated by that rating assignment have been demonstrated in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by mild symptoms that did not significantly impair his occupational and social functioning, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms were manifested by mild depression and social withdrawal.

The Veteran's PTSD causes significant impairment in work, social, and family life. The Board has determined that a 70 percent rating is warranted for the entire claims period.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability. The claim for PTSD was not addressed due to the need for clarification of specific stressors.