PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for PTSD, including a need to provide notice regarding potential sources of evidence and to obtain a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's claimed personal assault(s) occurred. The case will be further adjudicated based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression was rated at 50 percent prior to December 19, 2006 and since then has been rated as 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The issue of a higher initial disability evaluation for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his relocation and inability to attend the scheduled hearing. His claims for PTSD evaluation and migraine headaches will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to service and the Board has determined that service connection for PTSD should be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is shown to have been manifested by symptoms including anger, irritability, social isolation, sleep disturbance, and nightmares, resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation are met.

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

The Board has granted an effective date of December 27, 1988 for the award of service connection for PTSD and dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent disabling for PTSD have not been met.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a verified stressor event in service and for an examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and erectile dysfunction were denied as there was no credible evidence of a service stressor, which is an essential element for a finding of service connection. The Board found that the objective evidence did not substantiate his allegation of the claimed stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a psychiatric examination and consideration of revisions in the PTSD service connection regulations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from May 9, 2005. The Board found that the symptoms are severe and most nearly approximated by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. With resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, residuals of acute infectious hepatitis, and PTSD. The denial is based on a lack of current medical evidence demonstrating these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for higher ratings for PTSD, a TDIU effective date, and service connection for tinnitus. The case is being remanded to comply with prior Board directives.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to an initial increased disability evaluation for PTSD, rated as 30 percent disabling prior to November 16, 2007, and 50 percent disabling thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from January 1, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a rating in excess of 50 percent for the period prior to January 1, 2008.