PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

Since the May 24, 2007 effective date of the award of service connection for PTSD, the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms have primarily included nightmares, weekly panic attacks, night sweats, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, social withdrawal, mild impaired memory, sleep impairment, anger, sadness, fear, depression, low energy levels and helplessness; these symptoms are indicative of no greater than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the VA psychiatric examination report and incomplete opinions regarding service connection for hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, rheumatoid arthritis, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation. Service connection for hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, rheumatoid arthritis, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea are also on appeal.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is associated with his gastrointestinal disability (GERD, hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome). Service connection for these conditions is sought as secondary to the Veteran's PTSD. The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for PTSD.,Service connection for hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis are denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea is also on appeal.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is associated with his gastrointestinal disability (GERD, hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome). Service connection for these conditions is sought as secondary to the Veteran's PTSD. The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for PTSD.,Service connection for hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis are denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea is also on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulders and joints, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a 10 percent rating for his leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, including in-service stressors such as rocket and mortar attacks during his time in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 24, 2005. The RO granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating in August 2005, which was increased to 50 percent in February 2006.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD effective March 22, 2011. The earlier effective date claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination to assess his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his claimed stressors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin condition. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus with an effective date of January 30, 2002.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of his claimed stressors. The current disabilities are not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or retaining substantially gainful employment, and his current job as a welder does not qualify as marginal employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, are found to be so severe that they preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board finds that the appellant does not have a current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, that is causally related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service in Korea.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with anxiety and depression is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective October 2006. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service due to combat-related stressor events, and the Board found that his lay testimony regarding these events is sufficient evidence of their occurrence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), right arm numbness, left arm numbness, a sleep disorder, and a heart condition are also being remanded as additional development is needed.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been recharacterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right arm numbness, left arm numbness, a sleep disorder, and a heart condition remain on appeal.

The Board has awarded an effective date of March 27, 1987 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's original claim was denied in August 1987 and reopened in July 2005 with additional supporting evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50% and has now been increased to 70%, effective July 19, 2011. The rating is based on the current severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are not shown to be related to military service.