PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and schizoaffective disorder is being remanded due to the need for VCAA notice regarding fire-related records, additional VA treatment records from San Juan VAMC since January 2008, and private medical records. A VA examination is also required.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as there was a link between her in-service stressors and her current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the NOD for GERD was not timely filed, and new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for GERD.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical examination and opinion regarding whether the Appellant's current psychiatric disorders are related to her service or Reserve service. The appeal is pending as a result of the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by total social and occupational impairment, with symptoms such as suicidal ideation, severe sleep impairment, nightmares, depression, hypervigilance, anger, avoidance of others, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene. The Board finds that an initial evaluation of 100 percent for PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran experienced or witnessed events involving actual or threatened death or serious injury while stationed in Vietnam, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met and grants the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral glaucoma, and a corneal scar of the right eye were adjudicated. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), but denied for bilateral glaucoma and a corneal scar of the right eye.

The Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were granted effective March 22, 2001.,The Veteran was awarded a TDIU effective July 12, 1999.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO due to inadequate explanation of his claim and need for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding both PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD and alcoholism and drug addiction. The Veteran's claim of service connection for these conditions is pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied, and his claim for a TDIU was also denied. The RO found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the percentage requirements for schedular TDIU or prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective from June 8, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as a result of an in-service personal assault, and therefore grants the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since March 7, 2007. The VA determined that the impairment from his PTSD most nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development and a hearing, as requested by the Veteran's representative. The appeal is now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and compliance with notification requirements.