PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no current diagnosis and no supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for herpes simplex II prior to March 18, 2009 and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for herpes simplex II from March 18, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his PTSD and low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, as there is a diagnosis related to in-service stressors and no clear and convincing evidence against it.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of PTSD and finds that new evidence submitted by the appellant raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The appellant's unit was exposed to enemy fire, and he experienced stressors related to his friend's death in Vietnam. The Board concludes that these factors are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining justiciable issues.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to unverified in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and his PTSD is related to a stressor involving an attack by a Vietnamese soldier, which he witnessed. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD, are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The VA examiners have concluded that the Veteran suffers from a personality disorder, which is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since April 28, 2008. Total occupational and social impairment is not shown.

The Veteran's varicose veins were granted service connection. The initial disability evaluations for PTSD and sinusitis remain at 50% and 30%, respectively, with no change in rating.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that the issue of whether his PTSD alone renders him unemployable requires further clarification and thus remands the case for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria and depression have been reopened, but the claim for PTSD remains in remand status due to insufficient evidence. The Board also found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 2006. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met, but granted the initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to his service. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit additional evidence and respond to the supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the RO relied on an April 2007 QTC examination. The Veteran testified that his condition has worsened since then and a new VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms that decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The Veteran has been employed full-time as a truck mechanic for over a year without any missed days or absences, and his relationship with his spouse is described as good.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's unemployability is a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.