PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and amenorrhea. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A medical opinion is also required to determine whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to the Regional Office for additional development regarding service connection for PTSD and chronic wounds.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is withdrawn. The staphylococcal infection to the left knee resolved after treatment and is not currently shown. The cause of the Veteran's eczema is not related to his total knee replacement and thus is not a result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing the hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in considerable impairment of social and industrial functioning, but did not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but his depression is found to be secondary to his already service-connected low back disability. His low back disability remains at a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board found that the Veteran's cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation were unrelated to any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's statements regarding a personal assault during service in Vietnam are credible, and the preponderance of medical evidence supports an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder as a result of his claimed in-service stressors. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted, but no increased rating or TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and secondary service connection for bladder cancer and prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed condition during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his initial rating for diabetes mellitus was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's current period of unemployment is due to his service-connected right 5th metacarpalphalangeal joint disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher initial evaluations for PTSD, finding that from January 20, 2005 through April 12, 2011, his service-connected PTSD was manifested by difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, sleep disturbance, depression, and occasional suicidal ideation. From April 13, 2011, the appellant's PTSD is manifested by anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks, hyperarousal symptoms, and irritability.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, multiple blunt force injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, was not caused by any service-connected disability and denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are related to a fear of hostile military activity and have been medically linked to his current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is causally related to his active service, including exposure to traumatic events in Vietnam. The reasonable doubt rule has been applied in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran's lumbar spine injury and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not service-connected.,Service connection for hearing loss is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired judgment, and disturbances of motivation and mood. The diabetes mellitus has been rated at 40 percent since January 12, 2009.