PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is not related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant notifying the Board of their desire to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from June 1, 2006 to January 29, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the entire rating period from December 15, 2005. As a result of this, his claim for an increased disability rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is not manifested by symptomatology resulting in social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, thus the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on a current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

Service connection granted for PTSD with an initial evaluation of 50 percent and effective from November 19, 2007. Effective dates denied for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, as new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to fear of hostile military activity during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including anxiety and PTSD, was incurred in military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was rated at 50 percent prior to July 22, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that although he had a current diagnosis of PTSD, his participation in combat was not demonstrated and his inservice PTSD stressors had not been corroborated.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and inadequate VA examination. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the July 2010 VA examination report and the Veteran's lay statements regarding his psychiatric and heart disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand to gather additional evidence and conduct another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from March 24, 2003 to January 24, 2005; increased to 50 percent effective September 16, 2008; and further increased to 70 percent effective August 11, 2009. The claim for higher ratings remains denied.