PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD is the result of disease or injury incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all types of gainful employment, and the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, in addition to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The VA found no evidence linking any current psychiatric condition to military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not competent to manage his VA funds due to a history of substance abuse and mental health issues, including delusions and manic phases. The evidence shows he often cycles through these phases and refuses treatment, leading to hospitalizations.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically witnessing wounded individuals and assisting in the transport of casualties. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service treatment records and other medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, paranoia, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, auditory hallucinations, spatial disorientation, anger outbursts, irritability, depression, and sleeplessness. The disability has been rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD for the period prior to June 2, 2008 has been withdrawn. The remaining issues have not yet been adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied. The denial of service connection for a prostate condition and the raising of a TDIU claim were also noted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were granted. He was assigned a 50 percent rating for PTSD, effective June 13, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, which is now considered well-grounded. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claimed posttraumatic stress disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor and the condition did not manifest until after service.

The Board has determined that the character of the appellant's discharge is not a bar to entitlement to VA benefits, and he qualifies as a Veteran for purposes of eligibility for VA benefits. The claims for service connection for various conditions are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred during service, and the skin disorders are not attributable to service or Agent Orange exposure.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, to include PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and have not been causally related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including attempting to corroborate the Veteran's reported assault and examining whether any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, was granted. The evidence received since the previous decisions in August 1991 and October 1997 relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.