PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence had been received. The Veteran's in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military activity have been accepted as sufficient to reopen the claim, but further medical examination is needed to determine if these events resulted in the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from March 28, 2007. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has granted a higher disability rating of 30 percent for the service-connected PTSD effective from August 11, 2002. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not the result of his period of active service and fear of hostile military or terrorist acts. The Board finds that the primary stressor referenced in the December 2006 consultation report is related to a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, which is consistent with the circumstances of the Veteran's service. Therefore, the Board finds that service connection is warranted for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with traumatic encephalopathy, atherosclerotic heart disease, and dementia are considered contributory causes of his death from cardiopulmonary arrest.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that is linked to her in-service experience during a hurricane while stationed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. The Board finds the diagnosis and connection credible, granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and finds that he is as likely as not to have a current diagnosis of PTSD causally related to his conceded in-service combat exposure. Service connection for PTSD is therefore granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from May 6, 2010. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to secure STRs and other pertinent records, clarify the Veteran's claims, and consider them again.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia is rated at 50 percent since July 10, 2003.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective from December 2, 2009. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for PTSD, as his reported combat stressors are consistent with his military service and supported by medical evidence. The other issues on appeal have not been addressed due to withdrawal of one issue.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a staged rating of 50 percent prior to January 21, 2011; and an increased 70 percent from that date. The VA has granted the claim for an increased rating based on the severity of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, mood disorder, and PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examinations and failure to report for scheduled exams, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder with PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA examination to determine if there is credible evidence of the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and whether any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred or aggravated as a result of those stressors. The Veteran must report for this examination.