PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to evaluate the nature and extent of any residuals of in-service malaria. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD will also be scheduled for a video conference hearing.

The Board has determined that there is a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and further examination.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include anxiety and depression, were denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected condition or credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA hospitalization or medical treatment, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied as he did not have a combined 100% disability rating for 10 years prior to his death. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from correctional facilities and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 11, 2010 and the effective date is set to January 11, 2010. The initial rating prior to this was 50 percent from May 26, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an initial rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional treatment records from private providers. The case will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent from September 15, 2004 to November 25, 2008 and increased to 50 percent after that date.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and temporary total evaluations were denied. The initial rating claims are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA PTSD examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for depression and PTSD, but found that his claim of diabetes mellitus was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The decision also noted that there is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to his periods of active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to an in-service sexual assault, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD because no new and material evidence was submitted, despite the appellant's testimony at a Travel Board hearing in August 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right foot, ankle and hip injuries, as well as vision loss and hypertension secondary to diabetes, were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and to obtain missing medical records, including those from Dr. Boerner, Dr. Rennick, Dr. Maziar, and Dr. Sieg.

The Board has determined that the appellant was not unemployable by reason of service-connected disability for the period from November 29, 2006, through March 27, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as his claimed stressors could not be verified, and he did not engage in combat. The Board found that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD due to an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling psychological testing. The issues of service connection for a chronic sleep disorder and PTSD are being considered together.