PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD and IBS with constipation was denied. The current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as his reported stressors during service are consistent with the circumstances of his service and supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than February 17, 2006 for service connection for PTSD and TDIU were denied. The RO had already granted these benefits with the earliest possible effective dates based on the filing of the initial claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating for occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board granted an effective date of March 22, 2000 for a total evaluation for service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's PTSD, effective from when this decision is issued. The Veteran still does not have a combined rating of at least 70 percent when considering his service-connected disabilities in aggregate, which means he remains eligible for TDIU based on his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted and rated at 30 percent for the period from February 19, 2002 to July 20, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service personal assault stressor supports a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of an examination and failure to explain why such an examination could not be performed. The Veteran's PTSD was last rated in July 2007, with a 10 percent disability evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a heel spur in the right foot and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found clear and unmistakable evidence showing that any pre-existing heel spur existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including dysthymic disorder and PTSD symptoms, is related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining more specific information about his claimed service stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 100 percent, and his right shoulder strain is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that a rating of 100 percent for PTSD is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are credible and consistent with his service, and have led to a current diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 30 percent and increased to 50 percent effective January 30, 2002. The Board found that the evidence showed symptoms warranting a higher rating from November 22, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine whether preexisting sleep apnea was aggravated by the Veteran's second period of active duty. The claim for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tongue cancer, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and PTSD. The Veteran's tongue cancer is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.