PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to the need to verify his current mailing address and obtain VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD service connection and denied his skin disorder service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right knee disability render him unemployable, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and his four types of diabetic peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent. The RO granted separate ratings for the right and left lower extremities, as well as the right and left upper extremities.,TDIU was denied due to the Veteran having multiple service-connected disabilities that do not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding stressor verification and obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hemorrhoids were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within the presumptive period following service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there was no evidence of diabetes or hemorrhoids during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on his verified in-service stressor, and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD and peripheral neuropathy, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for the former and insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD. The evidence submitted since the last final denial is considered new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

For the initial period from May 19, 2004 to March 21, 2006, the Veteran's PTSD involved no more than occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. Since March 22, 2006, his PTSD has been characterized by reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. Service connection for hepatitis C was denied.

The Board is remanding the case to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors during service and determine if he engaged in combat with the enemy, which could affect his eligibility for service connection. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's PTSD causes difficulties in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships without deficiencies in the areas of family relations, school, thinking or judgment. The initial disability rating for PTSD is granted at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional treatment records and possibly a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for right and left knee chondromalacia, finding that the Veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) as to these issues.