PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the earliest formal or informal claim for service connection was received on May 29, 2003.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand is rated at 30 percent, effective July 10, 2006. Service connection for PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board has determined that a VA psychiatric examination, including psychology testing, should be conducted to determine if the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is related to a sexual assault in service. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 4, 2009. Prior to this date, the disability was rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date of December 17, 1996 is warranted for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's psychiatric disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent from October 14, 2009. Prior to that date, the claim was not granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, characterized as PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder with a specific phobia of being submerged in water. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported stressors during his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, effectively resolving the Veteran's appeal on this issue. As a result, there remains no case in controversy regarding his claim of service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of verified in-service stressor and insufficient evidence linking the condition to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to incomplete adjudication of the alcohol abuse disability secondary to PTSD, and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to July 16, 2007 resulted in mild symptoms that did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board granted a higher initial rating for PTSD, denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, and remanded the application to reopen a claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for removal of the right lung.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as he has a diagnosed condition and the stressors are supported by evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 30 percent evaluation effective September 26, 2003. The rating remained at 30 percent until November 24, 2009, when it increased to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of exposure to incoming fire and other psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating, effective from August 9, 2004. The Veteran's appeal regarding an initial rating greater than 50 percent prior to August 9, 2004, is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to his PTSD. The claim for erectile dysfunction was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying the circumstances of his employment termination. The case will also be reviewed to determine if a TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA psychiatric examination and consideration of all pertinent evidence.