PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.

The Board determined that the appellant's character of discharge from service was under conditions other than honorable, and thus constituted a bar to VA benefits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disability for which service connection had been established at the time of his death or for which service connection should have been established. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is April 26, 2006, as this was the date the Veteran's reopened claim was received by VA.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending and will require further examination to determine if a link exists between his in-service stressors and his current symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The RO found that the Veteran's symptoms, while significant, did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's in-service stressors and to determine if any other psychiatric conditions are related to service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to be due to Agent Orange exposure, and service connection is granted. The claim for PTSD remains pending as the stressor has not been verified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and ensure all necessary development has been completed.

The Veteran was granted a 100% schedular evaluation for PTSD effective March 27, 2009. This decision rendered the issue of individual unemployability moot as he is now rated at 100% due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of schizophrenia, paranoid type, with depression is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to May 21, 2002 and increased to 50 percent effective May 21, 2002. The current rating of 50 percent is more nearly approximated.

The Board has ordered a remand to consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric and organic mental disorders, including PTSD and dementia. The examination should address whether any of these conditions are related to service or drug addiction.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder(s), an evaluation of the low back disability, and consideration of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of sexual assault during his military service, and the claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with OCD has been rated at 70 percent since August 3, 2009. The Board found that the evidence supports a higher rating for PTSD prior to this date.