PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD with major depression was denied, and his claim for service connection for vitiligo was also denied. The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a hearing before a Decision Review Officer and issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issues of special monthly compensation based on loss of use, need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, and service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal if a schedular 100 percent disability rating were granted for PTSD and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for PTSD, chronic low back disorder, and right wrist status post open reduction internal fixation of ulnar fracture. The appeals were not granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his PTSD was denied, with the Board finding that from December 27, 2004 to January 9, 2006, and from April 1, 2006 to January 21, 2009, he did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent. From January 22, 2009, forward, he did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent. The Veteran's claims for other conditions were also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was granted. The Board also found that the Veteran had other disabilities, but did not grant service connection for them.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as a matter of law due to procedural history and lack of legal entitlement.

Since February 2006, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have been incurred or aggravated by his active service. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD, will be remanded as the in-service stressors need further verification.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and depression. The case is remanded due to the need for an examination to establish the nature, onset, and severity of any psychiatric conditions found to be present, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was granted, but the TDIU issue remains unresolved.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent since May 28, 2007 and increased to 70 percent effective August 6, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 2, 2008, but did find sufficient grounds for a 70 percent rating since then.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to atherosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was not found to be a primary or contributory cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a skin condition, including as due to herbicide exposure, are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining unit history records and morning reports from JSRCC to verify combat exposure. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination if verified stressors are established.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of corroborated in-service stressors and the Veteran's failure to provide more specific details regarding his claimed events.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and adjudication of the Veteran's claim of service connection for alcohol dependence secondary to PTSD. The appeal is also remanded for reconsideration of the initial evaluation for PTSD.