PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and the RO denied an increased rating. The right foot disability remains at a 10 percent rating with a separate 10 percent rating for residual scar. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and further development due to the need to establish whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor, given recent changes in VA regulations regarding service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disability, fungal infection of the toe and fingernails, hernia, psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and gastrointestinal disability. The reasons given were that there was no competent diagnosis of PTSD attributable to active service and that psychiatric disability other than PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left leg disorder, skin disorder, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and that there was no direct or presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's PTSD causes significant social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a higher 50 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran met all eligibility criteria for PTSD on November 6, 1996 and such eligibility existed continuously from that date to the date of his reopened claim received on February 20, 1998. As a result, an effective date of February 20, 1998 was granted for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that an evaluation in excess of this was not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from February 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating given the increased stress at work and resulting impairment in functioning.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for a skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical examination and the need to obtain SSA records. The case will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, and initial and maximum ratings for PTSD and substance abuse are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, with the stressor being considered new and material evidence. The case is remanded to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied an increased evaluation. The issue of service connection for a left leg disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, and diabetes mellitus are all service connected. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a 70 percent evaluation should be assigned based on his symptoms of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder were initially rated at 30 percent prior to January 16, 2007. From that date, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD and dermatitis are both found to be related to his service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was received on April 30, 2004. The effective date assigned is the date of receipt of the claim.