PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is shown to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, and hypervigilance. The VA determined that the disability picture more nearly approximates a 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code (DC) 9411.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was likely caused by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD produces no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a continued 50 percent disability rating.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent effective July 27, 2000 and increased to 70 percent effective February 27, 2002. The RO also granted TDIU effective July 27, 2000.,PTSD was service-connected as of July 27, 2000, with a 30% rating and increased to 70%. TDIU was granted on the same date.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD does not result in occupational and social impairment warranting a higher evaluation, thus denying his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining VA medical records. The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development of evidence related to the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his Vietnam service. The VA will now conduct further examination to determine if PTSD is linked to his military service.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Cleveland Clinic Hospital on July 18, 2004 were reimbursed because the treatment was for a serious condition that posed a threat to his health and no VA facility was available.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms have produced occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and need for further development, including verification of stressors for PTSD and a new VA examination for his low back disability.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral tinnitus and post-traumatic stress disorder were denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of the maximum allowed under current VA regulations.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new evidence submitted since the July 2003 denial supports reopening of the claim and establishing a link between the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD and his in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have post-traumatic stress disorder or rectal bleeding, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination regarding his claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The case will be reviewed again after this information is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of evidence submitted by the veteran's attorney.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD, finding that no valid claim was filed prior to May 6, 2004.

The veteran's PTSD results in severe symptoms including social isolation, paranoia, and inability to maintain gainful employment. The Board finds a 100 percent (total) initial rating is warranted for the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied an increased initial evaluation for PTSD and the residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right hand, both currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board finds that the appellant is entitled to enhanced DIC benefits as she and the veteran entered into a valid common law marriage prior to relocating from Georgia to Tennessee, which constitutes at least eight years of marriage before his death.