PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim seeking an increased rating for PTSD must be denied because he failed (without good cause) to report for a VA examination scheduled to determine his entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from the Morgantown Vet Center and Clarksburg VA Medical Center, arranging for a VA PTSD examination, and providing a VA general medical examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered in determining his eligibility for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected organic affective disorder with PTSD has resulted in total occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat and thus, her claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are denied due to lack of credible evidence corroborating her claimed stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to reassess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on his ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the evaluation of his PTSD.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to active military service and the Board finds that he has a current diagnosis of PTSD associated with an in-service stressor which is corroborated by credible supporting evidence. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be established. The Veteran's claim for a back disorder was also denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in a current disability.

The Board has determined that the RO did not fully develop and verify the appellant's claimed stressor, and thus remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video hearing and the revocation of his current representative. The issues include reopening the claim for service connection for hearing loss, as well as claims for various other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD with major depression and agoraphobia, is currently rated at 70 percent. This rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and residuals of a head injury, but denied his claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder condition. The rating assigned is 10% for the lower back disability.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD since May 16, 1995. The Veteran's unemployability due to PTSD is established from March 16, 1972, to May 15, 1995.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not result in the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to its severity. Other nonservice-connected conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, GERD, and peripheral vascular disease are more significant contributors to his functional limitations.

The Veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective May 12, 2008. The effective date of September 14, 2005 is the earliest that can be assigned for this award.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this disability.