PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no verified in-service stressor and his self-reported symptoms did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and back condition service connection has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Veteran's PTSD produces occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to verify the Veteran's in-service stressors and to obtain a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and severity of any psychiatric disorders found to be present.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his service, including verifying specific in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under VA guidelines for this condition. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and confirming the Veteran's periods of active service. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his current left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and peripheral artery disease due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which combined to a 70 percent rating prior to October 24, 2008, did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Board has determined that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for his service-connected PTSD was increased to 30 percent in an April 2009 rating decision. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to his symptoms being consistent with a 30 percent disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), headaches (residuals of head injury), low back disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further development, including verifying an in-service stressor and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing. The claims of service connection and reopening are not currently before the Board.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially to his cause of death, and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, as he is able to perform basic self-care functions and does not require substantial confinement.