PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the appellant's current PTSD is linked to an in-service stressor (the death of a friend during service), and therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and PTSD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further investigation of a reported stressor involving the death of a friend by a rocket propelled grenade, and to corroborate this information with the U.S. Army and JSRRC.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was rated at 70 percent disabling from March 6, 2000 to September 14, 2007. For the period since June 10, 2004, his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they did not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as severe memory impairment or hallucinations.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and posttraumatic stress disorder were not granted service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted based on his current symptomatology.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is not due to a verified in-service stressor and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and issuing a statement of the case on the issue of service connection for depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further investigation and evaluation, including a psychiatric examination to determine if the appellant was insane at the time of his discharge. The RO will also determine whether the appellant's discharge status has been upgraded.

The Veteran seeks a higher initial evaluation for his PTSD with major depressive disorder. The Board finds that additional development is required prior to adjudication of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as there was no prior claim or evidence of entitlement to these benefits before the assigned effective dates.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 13, 2006. The Board found that the current rating is appropriate based on the symptoms and impairment described.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant seeks DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating at the time of his death, nor would he have been in receipt of such compensation due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in prior decisions. Therefore, DIC benefits were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of psychotic features, to include auditory hallucinations; he has a total impairment in occupation and social functioning, and the Veteran cannot maintain effective work or social relationships. The Board grants the maximum 100 percent initial rating for PTSD.