PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no objective evidence verifying the occurrence of a stressor during his service in Vietnam.

Throughout the entire rating period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms including flashbacks, sleep impairment, irritability or outbursts of anger, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response and some difficulty establishing and maintaining effective social relationships. This level of impairment is considered to be comparable to no more than occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a personal assault that occurred during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating. The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is not service-connected as it is unrelated to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as his GAF score indicates mild symptoms and he is able to perform activities of daily living. His hearing aids allow him to work in most situations, and his tinnitus is described as bothersome rather than disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 6, 2007. After that date, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder NOS has not resulted in the level of occupational and social impairment required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder have been rated at 100 percent effective September 27, 2007, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral foot/leg disorders are service-connected, but his PTSD claim is denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed stressors were not related to combat and have not been corroborated by credible supporting evidence, thus denying service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, sleep impairment, anxiety, and occasional hallucinations. However, it does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than May 31, 1991 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of his claimed in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including seeking an assessment report and opinion from a VA medical specialist to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's death. The appellant contends that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his death due to hospital treatment aggravating it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere's syndrome. The Veteran was not shown to have a verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and his Meniere's syndrome is not manifest by hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring from one to four times a month.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 29, 2005. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor or a link between current symptoms and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for hepatitis C is pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's contentions regarding in-service stressors have not been substantiated, and there is no current disability due to PTSD.