PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective May 31, 2000. He is entitled to a TDIU as of that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a verified in-service stressor for PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed after additional development, including searching morning reports and obtaining mental health treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, concluding that even assuming he has this condition, it is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD, and entitlement to a TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are not related to her military service. The evidence does not support a finding of an in-service stressor or sexual assault.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's cervical spine discogenic disease is rated at 30 percent, effective August 18, 2003. His claim for PTSD was granted and service connection established.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence that a formal or informal claim was filed prior to June 2, 1997. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been presented. The Veteran's testimony at a hearing before a Decision Review Officer in June 2008, combined with the newly received lay statement corroborating his account of witnessing the death of a POW, is sufficient to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30% and the claim for an increased rating has been denied. The effective date for the 10% evaluation of scars on the right elbow and shoulder remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Mood Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder. This includes obtaining all of the Veteran's service personnel records, providing him with another VA examination, and determining whether any of his diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships throughout the course of this claim. The Board finds that a 70 percent rating for PTSD has been met.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD from December 18, 1991 to May 25, 1992 is denied as service connection was not in effect prior to May 26, 1992.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The right knee disability claim is pending in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder are currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 12, 2005. The Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, low back disorder, disability manifested by pain in legs and feet, and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities as claimed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no competent evidence of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 100 percent, resulting in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are service-connected, with the tinnitus granted based on in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis conforming to the DSM-IV in accordance with VA regulations. The Veteran reported killing a Korean national, but this does not meet the criteria for service connection under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).