PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent from October 21, 2005 to October 13, 2008. The Board finds that the Veteran demonstrated total occupational and social impairment during this period, warranting a disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and the residuals of a head injury, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the claimed stressors or current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him incapable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be etiologically related to a verified in-service stressor, the forklift accident. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of legal merit.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety disorder, PTSD, a right upper arm lump, jungle rot, skin disease, and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the Veteran did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder contributed substantially or materially to his death from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, including obtaining a VA examination and potentially obtaining medical records from Dr. M.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent for the period of October 21, 1997 to October 17, 2000. The symptoms were consistent with a 30 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms including intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, hyperarousal, sleep difficulty, anxiety, irritability, and nervousness. The preponderance of evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has found that the Veteran is diagnosed with a current psychiatric disability, namely PTSD and bipolar disorder, and that there is credible supporting evidence that her stressor events occurred. The Board concludes that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's PTSD is caused by or is a result of her rape in service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating since March 17, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disorder and PTSD, finding no evidence to support these claims. The claim for right ear hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depression, and tinnitus are sufficient to render him unemployable without regard to his age or any nonservice-connected disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been found to result in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims for service connection for a mental disorder, including MDD and PTSD, and for a right leg disability, including osteoarthritis.