PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD was also granted, as it is not established by credible supporting evidence.

The Board determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, coronary artery disease (CAD), was not caused by or a result of his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that while the Veteran had PTSD and hypertension, neither contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent, effective August 26, 2003. The rating was increased to 70 percent in October 2009, effective April 19, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 13, 2004. The Board found that the disability warrants a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depression with PTSD features and now characterized as a combination of major depression, PTSD, and panic disorder, is found to be related to his service in Iraq. The Board grants service connection for all these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 29, 1992 and granted a 70 percent rating effective April 2, 1975. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU is moot as the claim has been previously denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's account of in-service stressors is credible and linking his current PTSD to those events.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested since the filing of the original service connection claim on December 21, 2004. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD existed prior to November 27, 2006 and grants an effective date of December 21, 2004 for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's major depression is found to have begun in service and the claim for this condition is granted. The claim for PTSD remains pending as no stressor has been verified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded a VA psychiatric examination to determine if she has PTSD and whether it is related to her service. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous examination is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's PTSD, as his symptoms have reportedly worsened since the last VA examination in July 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to his active service, specifically his role in transporting and caring for wounded service members during the Gulf War. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral arm disorder, bilateral knee disorder, floaters in eyes, breathing trouble, ulcer, erectile dysfunction, headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and PTSD. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was not manifested by deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood from August 24, 2006 to February 20, 2007. Therefore, a higher evaluation of greater than 50 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent evaluation, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board finds the medical evidence of record is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are manifested by the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet. As a result, the claim for certification of eligibility for automotive and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.