PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in his symptomatology and employment status, as well as the need for updated treatment records and a new examination.

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

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal. The case is being remanded for further development and readjudication, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to schedule a VA examination and obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of his hearing preference and scheduling a hearing before the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding his in-service incident to be exaggerated and inconsistent with the deck logs. The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder as there was no credible evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and evaluation of PTSD has been dismissed as the RO granted service connection in May 2010, which constitutes a full grant of his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and memory loss, secondary to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The claims for an initial increase in PTSD rating and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent, and his back strain disability was granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective January 21, 2010. The ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left legs remain at 10 percent.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities are sufficient by themselves to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder and PTSD are likely to have had their onset during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, trouble sleeping, intrusive thoughts, and altered mood, resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The current rating of 30 percent is maintained prior to April 30, 2008, but a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and an examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The TDIU claim is also being considered.

The Veteran's claim of TDIU is being remanded due to an intertwined issue with service connection for fibromyalgia secondary to PTSD. The RO must also obtain updated VA treatment records and provide the Veteran with notice of any denial or expiration of appeal period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by symptoms such as slow speech, occasional psychomotor retardation, limited insight, a depressed mood, a constricted affect, nightmares, sleep difficulties, occasional suicidal ideation without a plan, and social isolation. The Board denied the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to September 15, 2005, but granted a 50 percent evaluation since that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is due to disease or injury incurred in service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.