PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have significantly worsened since August 1, 2008, leading to a total occupational and social impairment. Prior to that date, the symptoms were indicative of no more than major deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, is related to his military service. The case will be remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible rating of 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning. The other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressors are credible and related to his fear of hostile military activity involving events resulting in actual or threatened death or serious injury, which occurred during his service on the USS GUADALCANAL. The VA examiner confirmed that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms were related to these stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board found that there is no credible supporting evidence to verify the Veteran's report of an inservice stressor, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, schizophrenia, and hip disability were denied. Service connection was granted for a vocal and/or speech disability.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, along with major depressive disorder and PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran was on active duty for training (ACDUTRA) on June 20, 1971.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his cold injury residuals claim was denied. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and bulimia nervosa is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination, as well as obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including gathering of medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the severity of his PTSD and whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to his death, as there were multiple comorbid conditions contributing to his death. The service-connected PTSD was deemed insufficient in causing or hastening the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating throughout the initial rating period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a sleep disorder and bronchitis have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine the nature of his psychiatric disability, including whether he has PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the timeliness of his substantive appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's service-connected benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) with history of gonorrhea is rated at 60 percent, effective from the date of his claim for an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors were not related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and thus did not qualify for service connection under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f). The Veteran's left foot disability was also denied as there is insufficient evidence linking it to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD claimed as due to a personal assault during service, is being remanded for additional development of his military records and VA medical records.