PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, right knee disability and low back disability are being REMANDED to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 25, 2008, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence for the claims of service connection for bilateral hammer toes and increase in rating for posttraumatic stress disorder. Additional development under the duty to assist is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from April 23, 2010 to September 27, 2010. Since then, the rating has been increased to 50 percent effective January 14, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, panic attacks, and depression that suggest occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, thinking, and mood. Resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the criteria for an initial rating of 70 percent have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran's symptoms include depressed mood, impaired concentration and judgment, memory impairment, irritability, anger outbursts, sleeping impairment, social withdrawal, preoccupied thought content on financial stressor issues, suicidal thoughts, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied. The initial assigned disability rating of 30 percent is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and an updated VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is now pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a stomach disability has been reopened. The evidence supports the reopening of both claims, but further development is needed to determine if there is a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, or residuals of cold injuries related to his military service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with adjustment disorder and depressed mood, effective from October 21, 2008.,A rating of 30 percent was assigned for PTSD with adjustment disorder and depressed mood prior to April 20, 2001.,From April 20, 2001 to July 31, 2005, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records. The issue is inextricably intertwined with claims for service connection for disorders of the shoulders, hips, left knee, and lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 6, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating before this date.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating effective June 7, 2010.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 21, 1989 for a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors and concluding that his current psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as he does not currently have a diagnosed condition. The other issues on appeal are also addressed in the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or depressive disorder. The decision concluded that there was no current disability meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and it may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.