PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The evidence received since the previous denial shows a current diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity during the Persian Gulf War. As such, the claim is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the Veteran's claims for PTSD, a left leg injury, and residuals from a neck injury. The case must be remanded in order to schedule VA examinations to determine whether she currently has these conditions and if they are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for initial review and consideration of all pertinent evidence, including employment-related documents.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and there is no evidence of negligence or fault on VA's part. The appellant's claims for direct service connection and under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were both denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and his right and left knee disabilities were each rated at 20 percent. The Veteran also received assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's hypertension and obesity are not service-connected, but may be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's overactive bladder is service-connected, while his right knee strain does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,PTSD has been rated based on its current severity since September 4, 2001.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, are not of such severity as to preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The decision is based on new evidence that reopened her previously denied claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% disabling, and his other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is found to be etiologically related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is not warranted as his death was caused by fatal arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The medical opinions considered together have concluded that PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is REMANDED for obtaining missing VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors, which included fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The Veteran's lay testimony and medical evidence support this finding.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, while his right knee arthritis with post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was granted a 60% disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since April 23, 2007, due to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left arm disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including medical examinations.