PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current level of PTSD symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning. The Veteran also alleges additional symptoms not previously noted, such as flattened affect, anxiety, impaired memory, difficulty understanding commands, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulties in establishing relationships.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as he did not timely appeal the February 2003 rating decision and a reopened claim was received on February 1, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appellant did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for hypertension or PTSD, and her DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and an evaluation of his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim (October 17, 2005), and no higher.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and cold injury to the feet due to lack of a diagnosis in accordance with VA regulations, absence of verified stressor, and no relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, diabetes, and cataracts, render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD causes significant impairment in social and occupational functioning, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with depression, and panic attacks, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding the current nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and cannabis dependence. The TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying any unverified in-service stressors and obtaining a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an examination to determine the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding no pending unadjudicated claim before June 29, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, skin disorder of the feet, PTSD, and internal bleeding or hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating from May 22, 2004.

The Board has reopened the claim for PTSD and granted service connection, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also considered as part of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to her confirmed in-service stressors, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD. Additionally, he should be given another opportunity to provide treatment records from Dr. J. L. K.