PTSD Stressors:

• The role of a VA examiner is to specifically determine whether a medical opinion can provide evidence of the occurrence of the claimed in-service MST based on markers and the veteran’s report, and whether that claimed stressor is related to current PTSD symptoms. See VA Adjudication Manual, M21-1MR*, Part IV, Subpart ii, Chapter 1, Section D, Subsection 5(r) (March 31, 2017)* (emphasis added).
• Whether evidence of an in-service stressor is credible depends on its plausibility, consistency with other evidence in the case, and its source. VA Adjudication Manual, M21-MR, III.iv.4.H.6.f. There is no need for the service records to corroborate “every detail including the [veteran’s] personal participation” in the stressful event. Suozzi v. Brown, 10 Vet. App. 307, 311 (1997).

Markers:

• Some examples of markers suggesting the possibility of trauma include, but are not limited to:
  1. Increased use or abuse of leave without an apparent reason;
  2. Changes in performance and performance evaluations;
  3. Alcohol or drug abuse;
  4. Increased disregard for military or civilian authority; and
  5. Unexplained economic or social behavior changes. See VA Adjudication Manual, M21-1MR*, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section H, Subsection 4(d) (March 16, 2017).*

Rating %: 🌟 The VA often rates veterans by the average of their symptoms, so if a veteran has symptoms that fall in the 30, 50, and 70% ranges, they will often get a 50% rating. However, this is not the correct way to rate a mental health disorder. Ratings should be based on the highest level of symptoms, not an average.