PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board found that the award of service connection for PTSD was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus denying the severance of service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for narcolepsy is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant impairment, including frequent panic attacks and memory loss. The Board finds that a 50 percent disability rating is warranted based on these symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left arm scar preexisted service and was not aggravated by service. The April 2003 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD is not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70% and he meets the threshold minimum percentage requirements for TDIU. The RO should obtain VA mental health treatment records from March 2006, schedule a VA psychiatric examination to assess his employability due to PTSD, and readjudicate the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, residuals of waist burns, and chronic diarrhea/lactose intolerance. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and ADD, but denied service connection for hearing loss and lung disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify his unit location during an in-service attack and to determine if he meets the criteria for a current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and a videoconference hearing is scheduled for him.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The VA will also schedule a psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred in or is related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted as it was incurred during his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for heart disease and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran has a bilateral foot disability that is related to active service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining military police incident reports and VA examinations to assess his psychiatric disorders and skin disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his service, specifically handling caskets in Okinawa during Vietnam War. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease on the basis that it is aggravated by a service-connected disability (diabetes mellitus).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hallux valgus, right knee arthrosis, and sleep apnea syndrome with REM sleep disorder, sleepiness and tiredness have been granted. The Veteran is now entitled to the assigned ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The issues of an increased disability rating for PTSD and TDIU are intertwined and will be addressed after these steps.