PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, arranging a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current psychiatric disability that began during service or is related to any incident of service, and providing VCAA notice.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his active military service, while the claim for PTSD is denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection. However, his hepatitis C claim remains incomplete as no opinion was provided regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to a military sexual trauma. However, his right lower extremity neurological disorder is not service-connected as it is related to diabetes rather than his service-connected ankle fracture.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD causes depression, irritability, anxiety, and impaired sleep but does not cause suicidal or homicidal ideation, obsessive rituals, impaired thought processes, delusions or hallucinations, disorientation, or neglect of personal appearance and hygiene. The VA has assigned a 70 percent disability evaluation for his PTSD.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 30 percent since January 24, 2004. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no credible evidence linking the claimed right shoulder scar or respiratory disorder to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder must be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether her claimed in-service sexual assault occurred, and if so, whether her current psychiatric disabilities are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical spine disability, spontaneous pneumothorax, chest pain, blood vessel damage of the head, mini-strokes or transient ischemic attacks, skin disorder, or hypertension due to service. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is also remanded due to a new evidence submission. Additionally, his TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may sensorineural hearing loss be presumed to have been incurred in service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, rated at 10 percent from December 11, 2005, to March 28, 2010, and increased to 50 percent thereafter, met the criteria for a 50 percent rating during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was previously rated at 50 percent, but is now rated at 70 percent due to increased severity of symptoms and impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of the updated medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD and whether it renders him unemployable.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran was exposed to combat-related stressors during his time in Vietnam, which is sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing a pre-existing condition prior to service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish direct service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but generally functioning satisfactorily. The Board finds that the evidence supports a rating of 30 percent for PTSD.