PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and dysthymia, has been rated at 30 percent since April 23, 2008. The VA Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for this condition, effective from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to insufficient information provided regarding his claimed stressors and the need for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claim of service connection for colon cancer during a Travel Board hearing. The case is being remanded to consider the issue of service connection for psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is related to in-service stressors and if his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is related to exposure to tritonal. The claims will be adjudicated again after these developments.

The Veteran's appeal involves a request for higher initial and staged ratings for PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records, including Vet Center treatment records, and to schedule the Veteran for an additional VA psychiatric examination.

The Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from smoke inhalation due to a fire, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his verified in-service stressors, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that her stressors were not verified and that she did not engage in combat. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service sexual assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible evidence supporting his reported in-service stressors and current symptoms. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded, as are the hypertension claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated at a 50% rating from March 13, 2007 until November 27, 2007 and at a 70% rating as of November 27, 2007. The current evaluation is denied for the period beginning on September 26, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to August 4, 2006 was characterized by reduced reliability and productivity with symptoms such as sleep impairment, anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, some impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, suicidal ideation, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships. The evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied, as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, diagnosed as Anxiety Disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), was found to be related to his in-service motor vehicle accident. Service connection for PTSD is granted based on new and material evidence received since the previous denial.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus, type II (20 percent) and PTSD (30 percent) have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of evidence, including obtaining medical records from VA facilities and considering additional submitted evidence. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and reopened his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder on the basis of new and material evidence. The appeal is remanded to further develop this claim.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's reported stressors were not verified, but his lay statements alone may establish the occurrence of one or more in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity.