PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is related to his period of active military service and the claim for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service stressor occurred and there is credible supporting evidence of its occurrence. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease and severe aortic stenosis, with PTSD contributing to the cause. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to August 31, 2006 and 70 percent as of that date. The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from August 31, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to incorrect address for a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The Veteran's claims for PTSD and hepatitis C service connection are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, do not render him unemployable without regard to his age.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted and rated at 30 percent effective October 20, 2003. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The other service-connected conditions do not warrant separate ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 11, 1993 for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied as a freestanding claim for an earlier effective date cannot be adjudicated.

The Board has re-characterized the issue as service connection for PTSD, and the Veteran needs to provide evidence of a personal assault in service that caused his PTSD. The VA must also obtain additional records from SSA and VA treatment providers.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU due to service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's unemployability was not factually ascertainable prior to September 26, 2002.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and is granting it. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is found to be related to his in-service experiences. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for epi-retinal membrane of the right eye is denied. The Veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for avascular necrosis of the right hip are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. His hearing loss was rated as Level I in the right ear and Level III in the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable rating. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating. Service connection for prostatitis and acne were not established due to lack of evidence related to military service or herbicide exposure. Claims for chronic ear disorder and kidney disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no pending claim prior to October 13, 2004.