PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's heart disease is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending as the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a decision based on clear and unmistakable error due to insufficient allegations in the moving party's May 2010 motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and a complete unit history search to determine if the Veteran engaged in combat service. Another VA examination is also needed to assess the etiology of his tinnitus and dental disability.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The evidence showed symptoms consistent with PTSD but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to address all theories of entitlement, and readjudicating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service. The stressors he experienced in Vietnam have been deemed sufficient under the revised regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide a new examination.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the appellant has a confirmed medical diagnosis of PTSD related to his period of detention during active service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 14, 2006 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine hypertrophic osteoarthritis was denied. The effective date is set at November 18, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The increased rating was granted effective December 13, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 27, 2006, effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from February 8, 2010. The rating decision grants an increase in the previously assigned ratings for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 5, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD and for an earlier effective date. The Board has determined that additional VA outpatient treatment records are needed to support the decision on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development of his PTSD claim, including a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD produces nearly total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating effective from May 29, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from a massive intracerebral hemorrhage, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of depression or any other psychiatric disorder separate from his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated during his military service.