PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for a psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD was incurred in service and whether the claimed stressor is adequate to support the diagnosis.

The Board has expanded the appeal to include both PTSD and psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including depression. The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address whether he meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD based on his verified stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective January 7, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's reported stressors are sufficient for a diagnosis of PTSD and whether his current psychiatric conditions, including depression with psychotic features, are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a hearing before a Veterans' Law Judge at the RO, and no rating or effective date was assigned.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD was denied. For the period prior to July 8, 2008, a rating in excess of 50 percent was not warranted. From July 8, 2008, a rating in excess of 70 percent was also not warranted.

The Veteran's heart disease, which was service-connected, is considered a contributory cause of his death. As the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot due to the grant of service connection for the cause of death, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his combined rating of 60 percent. However, the Board found that there is no evidence demonstrating he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the occurrence of the claimed inservice stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by anxiety, suspiciousness, and chronic sleep impairment. The Board finds that the current 30 percent rating adequately describes his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is related to a traumatic event during his service in Thailand and has been verified. The Board grants service connection for the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Depression due to a lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating since his initial claim, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorders, exposure to Agent Orange, and chronic migraine headaches are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) are being remanded for further development to determine if they alone preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on two confirmed in-service stressors: learning of his childhood friend's death and a personal sexual assault. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to these events, meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records, and his service treatment records are silent for any report, diagnosis, or treatment for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.