PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor and has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a lung condition, finding that his claimed in-service stressors were not corroborated by supporting evidence. The Board also noted that he did not engage in combat with the enemy during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than his service-connected schizophrenia, and thus cannot establish service connection for PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that new evidence submitted by the Veteran does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disabilities. The evidence primarily refers to the current diagnosis and severity of his conditions, rather than their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected condition. The psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claim remains pending as no SOC has been issued for this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, cerebral vascular disease to include the residuals of a stroke, and respiratory disorder (asthma) secondary to his service-connected PTSD have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, low back and right leg conditions) are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD, effective February 7, 2006.

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

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied, with the effective date remaining at January 30, 1998.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for atopic dermatitis was denied. The RO increased the disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective April 2006.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms, while significant, did not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided by the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's request for a new hearing has been acknowledged, and he is to be rescheduled for either an in-person or videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will then be returned for further appellate consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective May 23, 2006. The Board found that the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and is now considering whether new evidence supports a grant of service connection for any psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder can be decided.

The Veteran's epilepsy is currently rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the current ratings are appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran seeks a higher evaluation for his service-connected PTSD.