PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other diagnosed conditions. The decision is based on new evidence that was not previously considered.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression and PTSD, alleging exposure to enemy attack and casualties during his time in the Dominican Republic. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice of a VA examination and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service stressors, including being aboard a ship during a storm and witnessing the death of a fellow service member. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not meet the eligibility requirements for service connection at the time of the liberalizing law's effective date in 1980.

The Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea has been withdrawn. The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's psychiatric and secondary service connection claims is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD symptoms are severe, leading to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas and inability to establish effective relationships. The Board has determined that a rating of 70 percent is warranted for the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, refractive error of the eye, allergies, left arm numbness and loss of function, and a low back disorder. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The development includes obtaining corroborated stressor information and a VA examination.

The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings for PTSD and a TDIU from March 31, 2007. The appeal is mixed as some issues are granted while others are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, their relationship to service, and whether there is credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an initial schedular evaluation of 50 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of migraine headaches and service connection for PTSD were denied. The Veteran was not diagnosed with PTSD, and the Board found that there was no evidence to support a stressor related to personal assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a personal assault she experienced during service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI are currently rated at 30% each, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective January 10, 2007. Effective March 10, 2008, the rating for PTSD was changed to 70 percent with no higher.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected, and he is granted a compensable evaluation for his right eye corneal abrasion. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed stressor of falling overboard and having to be rescued, and concluded that his current psychiatric disorder is not related to his active service.