PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining unit records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes, as well as a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA treatment causing liver disability. The decision found no credible evidence of Vietnam service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not cause total occupational and social impairment from November 8, 2001 to January 22, 2005. Therefore, the claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Board finds that the cause of death, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, is not related to service or service-connected conditions. The Veteran's PTSD was not found to have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues include reopening his claim of service connection for sterility and various other conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 13, 2005 and increased to 50 percent effective January 2, 2009.,The Veteran also has hypertension and diabetes mellitus that are not service-connected.

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

The Board has determined that an effective date of May 27, 2005 is granted for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran suffers from PTSD related to in-service stressors and grants service connection for this condition. The right foot disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD disability has been rated at 70 percent since December 9, 2008. The evidence does not show total social and occupational impairment due to symptoms such as grossly inappropriate behavior or persistent danger of hurting self or others.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his PTSD on his employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it more nearly approximates a 50 percent evaluation from June 12, 2009.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including personality disorder, depression, and PTSD. The evidence did not show a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service, giving him the benefit of doubt and granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is found to be related to his service in Vietnam and the stressors he experienced there. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, and providing copies of SSA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to verify in-service stressors and obtain VA treatment records. The case will be reviewed under the amended PTSD regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent.