PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board also found that the current left ankle disorder is not related to his period of active service, but it may have been caused by a pre-existing condition aggravated by his service-connected right distal fibula fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to June 18, 2009 was rated at 30 percent due to symptoms such as short term memory issues, depressed mood, and sleep impairment.,On and after June 18, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent based on more severe symptoms including panic attacks occurring weekly or more often, impaired abstract thinking, chronic anxiety, depression, and a GAF score of 55.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), finding that the Veteran did not have in-country service in Vietnam and thus was not entitled to presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied as there was no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically chronic lumbar strain with degenerative changes and PTSD. His fragment wound scar of the left arm warrants a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which closely approximates total social and occupational impairment. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, while service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board has broadened the issue on appeal to include any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 3, 2005. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further search of relevant records to substantiate the Veteran's claim for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, particularly regarding his PTSD, avulsion fracture of the left fibula, and bilateral heel spurs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and a valid clinical diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for lung cancer residuals was pending at the time of his death. His April 2005 pulmonary function test results supported an award of a 60 percent disability rating, which is granted as accrued benefits.

The VA determined that the Veteran did not engage in combat and therefore, his claims for PTSD based on service stressors are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further verification of stressor events.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to the need for further examination and additional development of his claims, including a TDIU claim.

The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than January 26, 2007 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board finds that there is no legal authority to assign an effective date earlier than January 26, 2007 as the December 2005 rating decision became final due to lack of appeal and the Veteran did not act to reopen his claim between December 2005 and January 26, 2007. The Board therefore denied the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.