PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's diagnosis of PTSD is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including learning about the deaths of two friends in an explosion aboard the U.S.S. Iowa.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including sending updated VCAA notice and obtaining private medical records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent before March 24, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressor for PTSD is not verified and therefore service connection cannot be granted. The Veteran's testimony regarding combat involvement in Vietnam was found to be inconsistent with his service record, which does not show any temporary duty assignments or receipt of medals indicative of combat.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for PTSD remains unchanged, and the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD from March 26, 2004 to May 25, 2007 has been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence within one year of the October 2006 RO decision. The Veteran is currently assigned a 100% disability rating effective May 25, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus did not develop due to service, as there was no evidence of noise exposure or other causation. The psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is denied as well.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining treatment records from the Amarillo VAMC and Vet Center.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and his pension benefits claim are both being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA or VA-contracted psychiatrist or psychologist to provide opinions regarding whether his reported stressors are adequate to support a diagnosis of PTSD and if his symptoms are related to those stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD or any other mental disorder related to service. The RO will also apply the new regulation regarding PTSD and review the claims file for additional lay statements.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective January 14, 2009. The other conditions have been rated as appropriate under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied. The disability results from mild to moderate impairment, which is already covered by the current rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and SSA disability records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete consideration of his psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant VA treatment records and provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and hypertension. For PTSD, the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD despite a verified in-service stressor. For hypertension, there is no medical evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating prior to July 6, 2005.