PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors and for a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD. The appeal is now in remand status.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Board has remanded the case to obtain a new VA examination and opinions regarding the etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his military service in Southwest Asia, which is considered an 'imminent danger pay area.' A VA psychiatrist confirmed the diagnosis of PTSD and linked it to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the Board's failure to provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases for denying his claim for higher disability ratings for PTSD. The case will be returned for further appellate consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including obtaining employment records and medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective from November 2004.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and a disability characterized by obesity or an eating disorder were denied as there is no competent evidence of in-service stressors leading to PTSD, and the claimed disabilities are not shown to be related to service.,There is also insufficient medical evidence to establish aggravation of any current disability by a pre-existing psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, pre-existed his military service and if so, whether it was aggravated by service. The claim is also being remanded due to the need for an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's in-service stressors and obtain additional medical opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders. The appeal will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus contributed substantially or materially to his death from arteriosclerotic heart disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's tension headaches were found to have started in service and he was granted service connection. For his acquired psychiatric disability, the Board determined that a rating of 50% is warranted based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

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

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, somatization disorder, and PTSD are linked to her in-service sexual assault. Service connection is denied for endometriosis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's stressor of witnessing a first sergeant's death in a non-hostile manner during service has been confirmed. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD or any other psychiatric disability, and whether it is more likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 50% evaluation beginning December 10, 2008. The earlier period from September 10, 2007 through December 9, 2008 was evaluated at 30%.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after all necessary actions are taken.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.