PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 17, 2004 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated at 30 percent prior to April 14, 2007 and increased to 50 percent from that date. The appeal is denied as the evaluations are considered appropriate based on the current level of impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is being considered based on new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current lower back disability and denied her claim for service connection. The decision also noted that she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which is unrelated to her time in military service.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or for a grant for necessary special home adaptations was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such eligibility due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of DEA benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code is granted. The effective date assigned is October 24, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and impotence. The effective date for a TDIU rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person and/or being housebound is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran has service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and malaria residuals.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue with verifying a claimed in-service stressor for PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after further investigation and examination.

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

The VA has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD, combined with other service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 11, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the nature of these claims, including whether there was in-service noise exposure related to the hearing loss and a verified stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since January 28, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD is dismissed as his claim was not properly perfected.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been characterized by total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as persistent hallucinations, chronic suicidal ideation, and inability to handle personal finances. The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board has granted accrued benefits for PTSD, but denied service connection for the cause of death due to ischemic heart disease and other causes. The DIC claim is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and medical records review.