PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to verify alleged in-service stressors and obtain a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to result in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Veteran maintains his ability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected PTSD was granted, with a current evaluation of 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, pes planus, and hallux valgus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and PTSD, was incurred in active service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and VA examinations for PTSD and left ear hearing loss. Service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are also pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 2008, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent, and the Board has now granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from September 1, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing notice regarding service connection for PTSD due to personal assault and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to obtain her service personnel records and verify any inservice stressors. A VA psychiatric examination will be scheduled to determine if a current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100 percent from May 16, 1996 to August 28, 2002 due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU had not been met prior to the specified dates.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no current disability diagnosed in accordance with DSM-IV, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, or a link between current symptoms and any verified stressors. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on post-service treatment records rather than in-service events.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence showing a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his military service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD was consistently manifested by depression, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, anger, irritability, isolative behavior, panic attacks, neglect of personal hygiene, and impairment in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to April 5, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on May 14, 2001. The effective date of the award is set at May 14, 2001.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10% prior to April 24, 2009, and increased to 30% effective from that date. The rating for the thoracolumbar spine disability remains at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, type II and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of a higher initial rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of corroborated in-service stressors and no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty.