PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for heart disability and leg pain have also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar warts and calluses, which require regular debridements, result in pain and limitation of motion of the 1st metatarsals bilaterally, moderate limitation of right ankle motion, less than moderate limitation of left ankle motion and no scarring residuals. A rating greater than 10 percent is granted for bilateral plantar warts.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, with a noncompensable rating initially assigned for PTSD. The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service due to noise exposure during his tour of duty in Vietnam. For PTSD, the Board determined that there was sufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptoms since service, leading to an initial 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 17, 2006. Since that date, the disability has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively, deficiencies in most areas including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to lack of a prior unadjudicated claim and no clear error in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to assess the impact of his service-connected PTSD on his employment.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, Anxiety Disorder, NOS, and bilateral anterior compartment syndrome (shin splints).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and thus denied the Appellant's claim for DIC benefits. The case is now remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the St. Petersburg, Florida RO due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as they do not include suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently and appropriately.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 12, 2003. The Board found no evidence of symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition existed prior to service or was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is causally related to service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, including her claimed in-service stressors. The decision grants these claims.