PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. J.P. and any other relevant treatment or evaluation records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor or a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, with a combined rating of 90 percent, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is granted. Service connection for skin impairment, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective from February 21, 2007. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, which is related to his active service. The Board notes that VA records from the Vet Center may contain more information regarding the Veteran's stressor and other details of his PTSD symptoms. As such, these records should be sought on remand.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. As of March 24, 2003, the Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying a claimed personal assault stressor. The Veteran must also be examined to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Hepatitis C, and a fracture of the dominant hand, do not render him unemployable. The VA examiner found that his other non-service connected disabilities, such as chronic lumbar pain, history of polysubstance abuse, hypertension, and stroke, are more significant factors in his inability to work.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 29, 1989 for the award of service connection and a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his mental incapacity requiring assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and determining whether the Veteran qualifies for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not attributable to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his PTSD claims, including obtaining medical records from Goldsboro Psychiatric Clinic and the Durham VA Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and obtain treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral pes planus, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for major depressive disorder. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated as 10 percent disabling based on moderate acquired flatfoot symptoms. Service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder were not established due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has aggravated his left leg and arm spasticity, as well as his headaches. The Board finds that these conditions are secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, primarily manifested by anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance, is currently evaluated at a 30 percent rating. The Board finds that the symptoms since June 2007 are consistent with this evaluation.

The Veteran is seeking special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. However, a remand is necessary as the VA examinations did not consider whether his medications render him housebound.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and a need for a VA PTSD examination.