PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by total and permanent impairment, warranting a 100% rating effective from the date of his claim on November 15, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of his symptoms since he stopped working.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim to reopen a previously denied bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied. The RO found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA medical examination to assess whether his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and for obtaining SSA records relevant to this claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and has therefore remanded the case for further action.

The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD based on a stressor related to his service in Vietnam, and the Board found that this diagnosis is supported by credible evidence. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted, and the effective date of dependent spouse benefits for service-connected PTSD is earlier than February 1, 2008.

The Board is remanding the claims for higher ratings for left knee disability, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, recurrent ear infections, right ankle disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reopening of his right knee disorder and PTSD service connection claims, finding new and material evidence in both cases. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but the issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 50 percent since service connection was established. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent, finding that the disability now results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 11, 2009. The evaluations for her right and left knee injuries have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any present psychiatric disorders, with specific attention to whether PTSD is related to in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran is to be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and service-connected wounds to his buttocks prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to PTSD and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that neither condition was related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymia and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his diagnosis and potential relationship between his naval service and his current mental health conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and chronic headaches. The psychiatric disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, is also found to be related to service.