PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to ischemic heart disease, which is presumed based on exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine conditions were not found to warrant evaluations in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating for PTSD to 30 percent, effective July 8, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is not due to a disease or injury incurred in service, as his claimed stressors are not verified and he did not engage in combat. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is currently rated at 50 percent under the general rating formula for mental disorders. The VA has determined that his symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is causally linked to in-service stressors he reported.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD was denied. For the period from November 10, 2003, to October 2, 2009, he is rated at 50 percent; for the full pendency of his appeal, he is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's request to withdraw this appeal, and therefore, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The case will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) and claustrophobia were denied as there is no competent medical evidence or opinion linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between his current tinnitus and service, thus denying service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is etiologically related to active duty service. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional evidence, including SSA records and VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, and thoracic spine degenerative joint disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his request to withdraw the claims for benign prostatic hypertrophy, atypical chest pain, and hypertension. The only remaining issue is the claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a skin disorder and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the obtaining of missing VA medical records and a new VA examination to evaluate his PTSD. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a seizure disorder, higher initial ratings for degenerative joint disease with osteoarthritis, L3-L5, and osteoarthritis, C4-C6 have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a VLJ who will be part of the panel deciding his case.