PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating since August 12, 2008. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted due to the evidence showing a current diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating from April 12, 1993 to August 21, 2001.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. However, the claim cannot be granted as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's case requires further development due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and an incomplete medical record. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information about his claimed stressful experiences, and VA will attempt to verify these events. A psychiatric examination is also required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he has any psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The VA will schedule a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, as well as to determine the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was granted in January 2008, effective from October 31, 2006. The grant of service connection is based on new evidence received after the original denial and a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent, as it is only productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records, as well as providing a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was granted, with a current rating of 50 percent. The skin disorder claim has been reopened.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 50 percent since December 2008, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, fractures of the right hand and fingers, head injury, dislocated jaw, neck injury, fractured right ankle, and black widow spider bite. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was rated at 30 percent since February 25, 2006. The VA examiner noted symptoms such as sleep impairment, nightmares, decreased motivation, avoidance of others, memory and concentration problems, and irritability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of reduced reliability and productivity with difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships since September 15, 2005. Since September 3, 2008, the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD based on a personal assault during active duty, was denied as there is no credible evidence of the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent since September 11, 2008. The Board also granted TDIU effective from the same date due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and anxiety, was dismissed because no substantive appeal was filed.