PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient reasons and bases for the findings and conclusions on all material issues of fact and law. Specifically, the Board did not acknowledge that the VA examiner did not review the Veteran's claims file at the September 2006 PTSD examination, failed to discuss the Veteran's statement during his March 2009 hearing, and did not fully address the Veteran's PTSD symptomatology.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and malaria, are of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no credible evidence of the claimed stressors, and thus denied the claims.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent disabling, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and an evaluation of his TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records and a comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 3, 2008 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including a constricted affect, memory problems, irritability, anger, startle response, flashbacks, nightmares, and sleep impairment. This warrants a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted with an effective date of December 5, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date was October 23, 2007.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his claimed stressors are consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of his service in the Southwest Asia Theatre of Operations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and the provision of additional medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and panic disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective February 27, 2004. The Veteran's chondromalacia of the right knee remains at a 10 percent rating. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for PTSD and postconcussion syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD and CML have been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran experienced a verified stressor for his PTSD, which is related to active service, and there was credible evidence linking his CML to exposure to benzene during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current psychiatric disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted. The initial evaluation for PTSD remains at 30 percent.