PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an eye disability, finding no evidence of a current disability or a link between any in-service stressors and his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be predominantly manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, anger, anxiety, mild memory loss, impaired concentration, depression, sleep impairment, psychomotor abnormalities, fatigue, intrusive thoughts, an abnormal mood, an abnormal affect, feeling detached, episodes of depersonalization, a heightened startle reflex, hypervigilance, and symptoms which resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and adjustment disorder with somnambulance were initially granted in December 2003, but the effective date was set at November 8, 2003. The Veteran appealed for a higher rating and an earlier effective date. The Board found that the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to July 1, 2004 were not met, while finding that from July 1, 2004, the criteria for a disability rating of 100 percent were met.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective October 29, 2007. A subsequent July 2012 rating decision denied a higher rating for PTSD, effective April 20, 2011.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and obtaining relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD is on appeal.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disability of PTSD and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are currently rated at 30 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a neck disability, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The Board also found that there is no medical evidence linking these disabilities to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and his PTSD rating was increased to 100% effective October 7, 2010. His patellofemoral syndrome with chondromalacia of the right knee remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, with symptoms including gross impairment in communication, persistent hallucinations, and a persistent danger of hurting others. The Board finds that the criteria for a disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD have been met or approximated.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim is not yet decided.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, which he claims is due to witnessing the sexual assault of a German civilian by multiple US military personnel during his military service. The Board finds that further examination and clarification are needed regarding the diagnosis and etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by symptoms such as sleep impairment, nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, anger, hostility, and assaultive thoughts. For the entire rating period, the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of new evidence and potential staged ratings. The issue remains about an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 100%, which meets the criteria for a TDIU rating. The evidence shows that his service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.