PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed stressors are sufficient to have caused his PTSD and whether there exists a nexus between the established stressors and the PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since June 15, 2004. The fibromyalgia rating remains at 40 percent. The left and right foot plantar fasciitis ratings are both 10 percent. The cholecystectomy residuals remain at 0 percent. The IBS is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that this level of disability warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by suicidal ideation, panic attacks, depression and anxiety, circumstantial speech, memory impairment, impaired judgment and abstract thinking, and reduced reliability and productivity at work for the period from February 1, 2005 to September 12, 2005. For the rating period from September 13, 2005 to September 30, 2008, PTSD was manifested by hypervigilance and anxiety, panic attacks, and mild memory loss.

The Board is expanding the Veteran's claim to include all psychiatric disorders and has ordered a VA examination to determine if his current mental health conditions, including PTSD, are related to an assault during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as his claim was not timely appealed and there is no legal basis to grant such a request.

The Veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has found the most recent examination report to be inadequate upon which to base the decision in this case and has therefore ordered a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and a General Anxiety Disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration if necessary.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service stressors or a link to military service, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depression was granted, effective February 12, 2001. The effective date of service connection for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with increased urinary frequency was also established as March 15, 2000.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 2, 2004. The symptoms have included mild occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and the Board finds that his current symptoms are linked to his reported stressors during service, which involve witnessing enemy fire and seeing comrades injured or killed. As such, the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his claims for increased ratings for anxiety and depressive disorder were granted with a 50% schedular rating effective from April 14, 2006. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Veteran's skin disorder and PTSD are not service connected, and the claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and PTSD have been granted, with a disability rating of 30 percent effective December 17, 2009.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, but not higher. The symptoms described by the Veteran do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from cardiac arrest due to systemic inflammatory syndrome, thus granting service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 4, 2007. This rating reflects the severity of his symptoms, including social isolation, avoidance thoughts, intrusive memories and nightmares, hypervigilance, hyperstartle response, irritability, anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, mild memory loss, impaired concentration, and difficulty in maintaining social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.