PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression, as his lay testimony alone may establish the occurrence of the claimed stressor related to his Gulf War service. The VA examiner diagnosed him with PTSD and linked it to his service experience.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be permanently and chronically aggravated by his service-connected left foot and ankle disabilities, warranting service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosed disability and insufficient credible supporting evidence for claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted, but the appeal for an increased evaluation remains pending. The decision on service connection for erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to April 7, 2008 and increased to 70 percent beginning that date. The Board must consider the appropriate rating for each period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and finds sufficient evidence to support this claim, granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's MDD is related to his active military service, specifically his experiences at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD based on new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating such claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include anxiety. The claim for prostate cancer was reduced from a 100 percent evaluation to a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not solely about service connection and have requested additional development to address other issues, including a psychiatric disorder claim due to personal assault allegations.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a personal assault in service, finding that the Veteran's statements and testimony concerning the reported stressors are credible.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his PTSD. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on the combined rating of 60% for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding Social Security Administration records and other necessary actions.

The Board found that the grants of service connection were based on fraud, and thus severed all service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred during active service and granted.

The Board found no current thoracic back strain and denied service connection for it. The Veteran's PTSD was not productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent since July 15, 2009. He previously had a 10 percent rating from December 27, 2005. The effective date for the increased evaluation remains in dispute.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, anger and irritability, and panic symptoms. The Board finds an initial rating of 30 percent, but no greater, is warranted.