PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied, while his claim for PTSD was granted.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of death, and granted service connection based on a secondary relationship between the veteran's alcohol abuse (caused by PTSD) and his death.

The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was granted, while the issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD, a multi-level back condition, bilateral heel spurs, multiple joint arthralgias, flat feet, hallux valgus and second hammer toes, bilateral to the RO for further development.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted due to his combat experience in Vietnam.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent for the period prior to March 27, 2007, and increased to 70 percent from that date due to worsening symptoms.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension, as there was no credible supporting evidence that his claimed in-service stressors occurred, and medical evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or a link between his hypertension and service.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from January 7, 2003 through March 14, 2007 and at 50 percent from March 15, 2007. No higher rating was granted.

The appeal is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed PTSD, particularly in relation to alleged in-service stressors.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board denied service connection for left eye disorder, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to the veteran's period of military service.

The Board concluded that PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied the claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and a bipolar disorder with dysthymia.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by irritability, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, exaggerated startle response, chronic depression, inability to get close to people (resulting in three divorces), hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts of Vietnam, flashbacks, loss of interest in activities and a tendency to isolate himself from others, except for a select few in his family. His short-term memory and concentration also are impaired.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and review of the claim, including consideration of a potential service connection for PTSD.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The appeal is remanded to provide additional stressor development and verification, to provide the veteran with a proper notice letter, to allow the RO to review additional evidence received, and if necessary, to afford the veteran with a VA examination.

The Board remands the claim for an initial increased rating for PTSD to ensure that the veteran's psychiatric disorders are properly separated and evaluated.

The veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board finds that a rating of 50 percent, but no higher, is warranted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is currently manifested by chronic sleep impairment, and a rating of 30 percent has been granted.