PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and were not related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent, effective September 13, 2003. The Board found that the disability picture approximates a 30 percent rating for PTSD but did not meet higher schedular criteria. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The issues of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia and upper back and neck pain are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of reduced reliability and productivity with 'difficulty' in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, warranting a rating of at least 50 percent prior to August 2, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD was granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective May 1, 2010. The decision also addressed service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms including nightmares and intrusive thoughts, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent from August 24, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical evidence and to provide a VA mental disorders examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted, but the initial rating assigned was 50 percent. The symptoms described were consistent with reduced reliability and productivity due to flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impairment of short-term memory.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to October 27, 2010 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depression, sleep disturbance, hypervigilance, startle response, difficulty with interpersonal relationships, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores ranging from 47 to 70. This level of disability warranted a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since November 29, 1999, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, to include dysthymia, did not manifest during service and is not related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and depression, are found to have been incurred in service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 9, 2005. Prior to September 1, 2008, the disability was found to be more than sufficient for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his stressor allegations.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of increased disability within one year prior to the March 1, 2001 effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a claimed in-service stressor and thus insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be reviewed again after these steps are completed.