PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issue remains an initial increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation of PTSD was denied as the evidence did not show total social and occupational impairment prior to August 17, 2005.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing test results from a VA hospital regarding alcohol and drug screening of the Veteran, which may be relevant to determining if substance abuse contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a PTSD service connection was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, and finds that new evidence supports this reopening. The Veteran's in-service stressors are conceded, and he is entitled to service connection for his diagnosed PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Vietnam, and the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to prevent her from engaging in and retaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service, thus denying these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating from January 4, 2008 to December 9, 2008 and from April 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. His PTSD and right metacarpal fracture are rated at the maximum allowed, while his hearing loss claim was not granted as compensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, which was not service-connected at the time of his death, contributed to his cause of death. The appellant is therefore granted DIC based on this theory.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment provided at Grays Harbor Hospital beginning on March 27, 2009 are granted due to the emergent nature of his condition and the unfeasibility of using VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records and examining the Veteran to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 16, 2003 for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and earlier TDIU. The effective dates assigned were determined based on the evidence of record within one year of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The TDIU claim is also referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to April 6, 2010 and at 70% thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board has determined that there is a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability (dextroscoliosis) and service, granting service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD remains pending as an examination was not conducted due to the Veteran's failure to report for the scheduled VA psychiatric examination.