PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's diagnosis of PTSD is linked to his in-service stressors and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service stressor, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, finding that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his confirmed in-service stressors of having been subjected to enemy fire during his active duty in Vietnam. The issue of service connection for Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right elbow disability and granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD was also found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD or schizoaffective disorder, that is service-connected. The Board finds no evidence linking any current psychiatric condition to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted effective April 5, 2001. The initial rating of 30% is maintained for the period from April 5, 2001 to June 23, 2003.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder that is related to his military service, including PTSD. The evidence did not support the occurrence of an in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be the result of combat stressors in service, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 29, 2005, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a formal or informal claim before this date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, sleep impairment, unprovoked anger and irritability, near-continuous panic and depression, intermittent suicidal ideation, difficulty adapting to stressful situations, and the inability to maintain effective social and work relationships. However, there is no evidence of total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of previously denied service connection claims were evaluated. The claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was not granted, as the evidence did not show restrictions or complications warranting a higher evaluation. Service connection for PTSD and bilateral knee disorder was reopened based on new evidence, but no new rating was assigned due to lack of compensable criteria. The Veteran's claim for residuals of bilateral leg disability remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10% before March 13, 2008 and increased to 30% since then. The current rating of 30% is granted but the earlier period remains unchanged.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability or his active service, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and related conditions, including Major Depression and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Moods, based on a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired judgment, and difficulty establishing effective relationships.

The Veteran's request for a computer and associated training under the provisions of Title 38, United States Code, Chapter 31 was denied as it is not considered necessary to achieve independent living.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded to the RO for further development.