PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a medical opinion to reconcile conflicting diagnoses of PTSD. The Veteran's claim remains in a pending state.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to a sexual assault during her military service, with all doubts resolved in her favor.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 14, 1999, and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 12, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not by total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary generalized anxiety disorder has been rated at 30 percent since April 2, 2004. The disability is characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with effective dates prior to December 6, 2004. The Veteran was also awarded a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The evidence received since the previous denial is sufficient to support reopening of this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD was characterized by symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares, intrusive memories, social avoidance, hypervigilance, anger, poor concentration, depression, and past suicidal ideation. For the initial rating period prior to April 27, 2007, the disability met the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating under DC 9411.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA PTSD examination.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating, effective February 18, 2009, based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by moderate symptoms, resulting in moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning. The Board finds that a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent is warranted for the entire period.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not experience combat or engage in Vietnam service and there was no verified stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The residuals of a stab wound to the right arm do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. A scar on the neck was found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD from 30 percent to 50 percent, effective April 5, 2007. The Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated as 30 percent disabling since December 17, 2007. The Board denied a higher initial rating for PTSD and also denied the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD or depression, that was incurred in or aggravated by military service. His reported stressors were not verified and he did not participate in combat.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and issuing a statement of the case regarding the issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.