PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, but denied service connection for his bilateral foot condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's PTSD prior to March 21, 2007 resulted in reduced reliability and productivity but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Since March 21, 2007, his PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran is seeking to reopen her previously denied claim for service connection of PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining relevant personnel records and providing VCAA notice, is required before the case can be readjudicated.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for service connection of residuals of a left foot injury, bilateral hearing loss, or an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound was denied, as he is not shown to be permanently bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance. The earlier effective date claim for PTSD was also denied because there is no record of a rating decision granting service connection prior to October 30, 2002.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from May 2004. The left leg disability was not service connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and no in-service stressor related to service.

The Board has ordered a remand for the veteran's PTSD rating, requiring additional evidence and an examination to assess his current condition.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of sleep impairment, some depression, isolation, and difficulty in maintaining social relationships. The Board finds that the currently assigned 30 percent evaluation adequately compensates the veteran for his PTSD.

The veteran's symptoms, including unprovoked irritability and difficulty maintaining personal hygiene, have been found to warrant a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The veteran had service-connected PTSD and died from a combination of alcoholism, PTSD, and other conditions. The Board finds that the cause of death is service connected.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective from February 9, 2007. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by total occupational and social impairment due to gross impairment in thought processes; grossly inappropriate behavior; and persistent danger of hurting self or others.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to combat exposure in Vietnam and presumed exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for a skin rash is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or after service, nor any link to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's high cholesterol is not considered a compensable disability for VA purposes. Nightmares and sleep disorder are already rated as symptoms of his service-connected PTSD, so the claims for these conditions are denied.

The VA has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for the appellant's PTSD, reflecting that his condition is characterized by symptoms such as recurrent intrusive recollections, nightmares, flashbacks, and difficulty with relationships.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and a need for further examination to determine if his PTSD is related to his military service.

The VA granted the veteran's PTSD service connection claim and assigned a 50 percent initial disability rating, effective from the date of claim.

The veteran died of pneumonia due to or as a consequence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. The service-connected conditions (PTSD, dermatomycosis, and sinusitis) did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death.,The appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was denied because the veteran had not been rated as totally disabled for at least 10 years prior to his death.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 5, 2008.,Starting from March 5, 2008, the veteran is now rated at 30 percent for his PTSD.