PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD with secondary panic disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of asbestosis or an asbestos-related disease.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial rating period, with symptoms indicating occupational and social impairment but not meeting criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been denied. The RO granted a higher rating from 30 to 50 percent effective February 26, 2009. However, the appeal remains with respect to the issue of whether a higher initial disability rating is warranted prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it shows occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but without deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability compensation rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is dismissed as moot due to the favorable RO decision in August 2009.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder, as new and material evidence has been received. The claims will be further adjudicated on their merits.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not about service connection at this stage.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board found that the Veteran did not have a disease or injury in active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) have been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and credible statements regarding such exposure, which are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding treatment records and to provide a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD, including its impact on employment. The case will also be reviewed by the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, to determine if a TDIU should be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection, concluding that he is not credible in reporting symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but not severe enough for a higher rating prior to December 29, 2010. After that date, the impairment did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination of his service-connected PTSD, as well as obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a diagnosed condition resulting from fear of hostile military activity during his time in the Republic of Vietnam.