PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for information regarding the Veteran's application to upgrade his discharge and because the claim of service connection for PTSD is inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational impairment with occasional visual hallucinations and suicidal ideation, but without evidence of total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that the disability picture more nearly approximates a 70 percent rating.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depression. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and depression in post-service records but his current claims are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bruxism and a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective May 27, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by sleep disturbances, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, isolation, anxiety, depression, and irritability. The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence supports a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. He also seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, which is related to verified in-service stressors.,Service connection was denied for a neurological disorder of the legs due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of a personal assault during service, and the need for further development regarding service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a hearing before the Board at the RO.

The Veteran's eligibility for VA educational assistance is granted as she meets the criteria based on her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and traumatic brain injury contributed substantially or materially to his death, which occurred due to a motorcycle accident. The decision grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including simple phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder, is manifested by moderate occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the cause of death and service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, arrested speech, panic attacks, difficulty in understanding complex commands, impaired abstract thinking, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has once again remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and panic disorders, based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to traumatic events during his service in Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for drug abuse and ADHD. The Veteran's mental illness is linked to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The remand includes addressing whether the Veteran was exposed to in-service stressors that could have led to his current diagnoses of PTSD and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, prostate cancer due to ionizing radiation exposure, and erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer were all denied as there is no credible evidence of a current disability related to service.