PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing a corrective VCAA notice and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from June 27, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 20, 2007, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the legal requirements for TDIU prior to April 25, 2008.

The Veteran's service records confirm he served in Vietnam and experienced enemy gunfire, mortar attacks, and artillery attacks. His lay testimony alone may establish the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors under the new liberalizing regulation for PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for a current Axis 1 diagnosis of PTSD, but Dr. R.M., psychologist, opined that he has a diagnosis of PTSD due to his in-service stressors. Therefore, the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to moderate social and occupational impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to military sexual trauma (MST) he experienced during service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and any pertinent VA or private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 4, 2001. The Board has granted an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and denied the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and affording him with any necessary examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to an in-service sexual assault has been granted, and the Board is now tasked with assigning an appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify a claimed stressor and obtain mental health treatment records. A VA examination will also be conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to credible evidence of in-service stressors and a link between those stressors and his current symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's service records do not show any treatment for mental health issues during his active duty. The VA examination revealed no symptoms of PTSD and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for this diagnosis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD, indicating satisfaction with the current 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified stressor and a current diagnosis of PTSD. The other issues were not addressed due to the lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and whether any PTSD diagnosis is related to his active service. If diagnosed, the claim will be considered for service connection based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that a new VA psychiatric examination is necessary to assess the current level of severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.