PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has vacated the portion of its August 27, 2009 decision that addressed and remanded a claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back disability. The other issues are not disturbed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressor of exposure to enemy fire is verified and finds a link between his diagnosed PTSD and this in-service stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board found no verified in-service stressors for PTSD, and thus denied service connection for the disability. The Veteran's major depressive disorder was also not granted as it is considered a direct result of his service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent for the period prior to December 3, 2009, and at 70 percent beginning December 3, 2009. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to March 19, 2008 and remains rated at 10 percent since that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, heel spurs, sling paralysis of the left arm, atrial fibrillation with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus (DM), and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus (DM).

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it has been clinically linked to exposure to small arms, rocket, and mortar fire while in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing at the RO (either Travel Board or video conference).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically his time in Vietnam where he experienced mortar attacks and artillery fire. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities, and cardiovascular disease prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, due to a lack of verified stressors and insufficient evidence supporting his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a psychiatric examination and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being considered on its merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient verification of stressors. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including depression and anxiety disorder, is also being considered.

The Board has determined that the claim should be remanded for additional development, including providing notice under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3) and ensuring all necessary development is completed.

The Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice, verification of a stressor event, and further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing autopsy reports.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of claimed stressors and examination by a psychiatrist to determine if any psychiatric disorder exists.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence showing that he was mentally incompetent to appeal prior decisions, and his preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of clear and unmistakable error in those decisions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and SSA records.