PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a seizure disorder was denied. The Board found that the preexisting psychiatric disorder did not aggravate during service and was not caused by service. For the seizure disorder, there is no evidence of its onset in service or any other presumptive basis.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating from March 21, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected posttraumatic headaches due to TBI and PTSD with insomnia and cognitive disorder, not otherwise specified, due to TBI were granted. The rating for right shoulder tendonitis was also granted, but the claim for a higher evaluation prior to March 6, 2008, is denied. The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 3, 2010, for the award of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to meet the criteria for a rating of 70 percent, effective prior to October 1, 2010.

The Veteran's initial PTSD rating was increased from 30 percent to 70 percent effective January 26, 2007. The Board is considering whether the Veteran should receive a higher rating for his PTSD prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, that is due to service. The initial diagnosis of a psychiatric disability was not until June 1996, and there is no medically supportable diagnosis of PTSD based on verified service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as near-continuous depression and anxiety, strained relationships with family and friends, constant irritability, social isolation, and avoidance. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining supporting evidence of stressors reported by the Veteran and a VA examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric condition had its onset in service or is otherwise related to a disease or injury in active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The evidence now shows that the Veteran experienced a stressor related to his military service in Vietnam and was diagnosed with PTSD as a result. As such, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, has been characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, depression, frequent panic attacks, social avoidance, passive suicidal ideation, nightmares, hypervigilance, impaired concentration, insomnia, and feelings of detachment from others. This more nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating under DC 9400.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, impaired judgment, and difficulty establishing effective relationships.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder. The underlying claims for right knee disorder and TDIU are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the Veteran's claimed PTSD and any other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development due to the need for an updated VA examination of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 16, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to such symptoms as suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control; spatial disorientation; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Veteran's PTSD has not met the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70 percent prior to June 14, 2010 or any rating in excess of 70 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO due to the Veteran's request, and will not make any determination on the merits of the service connection claim until this is done.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since April 20, 2009. The Board finds that her symptoms warrant a higher rating to reflect moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for PTSD, but it is REMANDED to obtain additional information and evidence before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with associated depression, has resulted in total social and occupational impairment since April 6, 2007. The Board grants a 100 percent rating for the PTSD beginning on that date.