PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining more recent treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining inpatient and outpatient records from Fitzsimmons Army Hospital, verifying stressors leading to PTSD diagnosis, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, but denied the claims for Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features and Bipolar Disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 19, 2008 and a temporary total evaluation for hospitalization due to PTSD was granted from April 30, 2009 through June 25, 2009.

The Board found that the appellant's PTSD claim was denied because there is no credible supporting evidence of a verified stressor event in service, and thus service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, along with posttraumatic stress disorder, is productive of occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively. The Board has determined that a 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder meets the criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, as the Veteran's statements and a fellow serviceman's statement provide sufficient evidence to corroborate her account of the stressor incident. The VA examiner diagnosed PTSD based on these events.

The Veteran's claim for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a home adaptation grant was denied due to the lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for such benefits. The claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) or being housebound is pending as the Veteran requested a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's major depression with psychotic features and PTSD are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The thoracolumbar spine strain was initially rated at 20 percent prior to August 13, 2009, but has been increased to 40 percent beginning on that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board Hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest available opportunity. If the Veteran appears, further development will be undertaken.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, as required for a higher rating. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD precludes him from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to his symptoms and impairment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The VA determined that the appellant's PTSD prior to April 21, 2003 did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation than 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD, including consideration for TDIU, was denied. The appeal regarding the December 1983 decision on CUE in assigning a 10 percent rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board has determined that he is entitled to an initial compensable rating of 30 percent for his tension headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and is now addressing the diabetes claim, which was previously stayed due to a legal challenge. The Veteran's current PTSD is found to be related to in-service stressors, while his diabetes remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for arthritis of the right wrist, right knee, and lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and PTSD have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded to obtain all outstanding VA medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.