PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to perform activities of daily living without the aid and attendance of another, nor are they so nearly helpless as to require regular aid and attendance on a regular basis. The Board finds that he is not in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 30, 2000. The rating is based on the symptoms of anxiety, nightmares, irritability, feelings of detachment, hypervigilance, fleeting thoughts of suicide with no plan or intent, and trouble sleeping.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating since June 21, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD with depressive features is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD is associated with an in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher initial disability evaluation of 50 percent effective February 2, 2010.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as his claimed stressors are supported by medical evidence and he has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service combat experience.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be reviewed after obtaining VA treatment records from Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for PTSD was denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin cancer were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone does not render him unemployable. The Board finds that other factors, including his motor vehicle accident and cocaine dependence, contribute to his unemployment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors are related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and whether any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to the AMC for a VA examination and further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as moot because his anxiety disorder, which he was already granted service connection for, encompasses the same symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for esophageal cancer, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board found that the Veteran is not competent to manage his own financial affairs without limitation, and therefore denied direct payment of VA benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depression, dysthymia, neurosis with hypochondriasis and depressive features, anxiety, and a mood disorder. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on reported in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his symptoms are related to the verified in-service stressor of fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, and the Veteran's other non-PTSD psychiatric disorders are being evaluated based on their relationship to his in-service stressors.

PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent prior to March 4, 2010. A rating of 70 percent has been granted effective from March 4, 2010.