PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran has withdrawn his claim for service connection for PTSD, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, and irregular heartbeat were not related to his active service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the Phoenix RO.

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

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were manifested by reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating from February 24, 2005 to August 13, 2007. The effective date for the TDIU is set at August 14, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify in-service stressors and determine if service connection can be established for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling from August 22, 2005 to February 13, 2006. From February 14, 2006 to October 29, 2006 and January 1, 2007 to May 3, 2007, the Veteran's PTSD was rated as 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which grants the maximum available rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The appeal was granted as his current rating of 30 percent is considered appropriate based on the symptoms described.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by impaired sleep with frequent awakening and nightmares, intrusive thoughts, an increased startle response, irritability, occasional depression, and anxiety. The Board found that the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence shows PTSD causes symptoms consistent with a 70 percent evaluation, but not total occupational and social impairment warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded to allow for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective March 2, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his death, thus granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Veteran also met the criteria for burial benefits.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations of PTSD, coronary artery disease, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service stressors and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of GERD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, benign skin neoplasms, and PTSD were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are not service-connected as the evidence does not show a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration and the USS Ajax deck logs. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.