PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 24, 2008. The evidence shows moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran is seeking an initial evaluation greater than 50 percent for his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The case has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clinical records and ensuring all claims are properly addressed. The TDIU claim will be deferred until the initial increased rating for PTSD can be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability and obtain any missing VA examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service in Vietnam and his reported stressors are credible, but further medical evaluation is needed to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board granted a 50% evaluation for PTSD effective June 1, 2005. The Veteran's former attorney is entitled to fees based on past-due benefits from June 1, 1995, to September 20, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective January 28, 2009. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for hypertension, sleep apnea, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and diabetes mellitus were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by total occupational and social impairment with intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living. The combined disability evaluation for service-connected conditions (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus) is 100 percent. The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his dementia and bladder cancer.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder, including as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicides, has been withdrawn. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral foot disability arising from VA treatment on March 1, 1999 due to withdrawal by the Veteran at a Board hearing held on April 28, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was denied, but he received a 30% rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety effective from April 25, 2009. The ratings for the right thumb fracture and knee conditions remain unknown.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that the claim should be remanded to allow for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinion regarding her claimed stressors and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis, PTSD, stress fracture of the left third metatarsal, left shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tendonitis, and right shoulder impingement are all found to be related to his military service. The claims for evaluations have been granted.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current valid diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.