PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hip tendonitis and PTSD was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, including consideration of the amended regulations and a VA examination.

The Veteran is granted service connection for PTSD, which he claims was incurred during his active military service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran had type-II diabetes mellitus or ischemic heart disease. The cause of death is sepsis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the impact of his PTSD on employment.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted as he has been diagnosed with PTSD due to a verified stressor incurred in service. The lung cancer claim remains pending, and the duodenal ulcer and hiatal hernia claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that there was no credible evidence of a stressor event in service, and thus the claim for PTSD could not be substantiated. The other claims were also denied due to lack of supporting evidence or medical nexus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral knee chondromalacia, and bilateral wrist disability are all rated at their maximum levels. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD was incurred in service, particularly during his time in Vietnam and specifically related to the TET Offensive.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of symptoms such as violence towards his wife and neighbor, suicidal ideation, homicidal thoughts, depression, nightmares, irritability, panic attacks, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, and memory loss. His GAF scores have ranged in the moderate to serious range.

The Board determined that the severance of service connection for PTSD, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility was improper.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is associated with his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressors, including sniper fire and witnessing other soldiers being killed by snipers, have not been verified. As a result, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 6, 2003 and increased to 70 percent effective July 6, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating prior to July 6, 2009 or after.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the appeal period, as they were productive of considerable impairment in his ability to establish or maintain effective relationships with people and some industrial impairment.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of a psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD. The Veteran's sleep apnea was not shown to meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder. However, additional development is needed as there are no documented diagnoses of PTSD in the most recent medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating of 70 percent have been met for the service-connected PTSD.