PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with depression, and panic attacks, is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation prior to July 10, 2003.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim due to new evidence showing his character of discharge was changed from 'under other than honorable conditions' to 'honorable'. The underlying issue regarding whether this change affects VA benefits is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to June 22, 2009, and the appeal is denied as his current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD was denied by the Board, as the evidence did not show that his symptoms met the criteria for such a rating prior to August 17, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication, including a VA examination to determine the severity of PTSD and whether the Veteran is unemployable due to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the primary symptoms of chronic sleep disturbance, insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, survivor's guilt, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, difficulty concentrating, feelings of detachment, avoidance behaviors, and depression. The Veteran maintains employment, a marriage, and full custody of his grandson.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The effective date for the award of service connection for depression is set at May 3, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD attributable to military service or any incident incurred therein, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD-related memory loss, have rendered him unemployable consistent with his education and occupational experience. Therefore, the Board grants a TDIU.

An increased evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD was granted effective from May 17, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication, including consideration of a TDIU prior to March 14, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and social phobia does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent due to his symptoms not causing total social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which reflects the significant impairment it causes in his occupational and social functioning. However, the evidence does not support a higher evaluation as he has not demonstrated total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and depression. The case is REMANDED to allow for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether her claimed stressor (fear of incoming and outgoing fire) is sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new psychiatric examination and the provision of VCAA notice regarding entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat and thus, his claimed stressors could not be verified.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including gathering of VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current mental health disorder was incurred in or as a result of active duty service.