PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise the May 14, 2008 decision on grounds of CUE. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in assigning an effective date earlier than November 28, 2001 for the award of a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and chronic fatigue syndrome, to include as due to exposure to environmental hazards are inextricably intertwined with his claim for Chapter 31 benefits. The Board is remanding the case to allow these issues to be developed and adjudicated together.

The Veteran seeks an increased disability rating for her service-connected PTSD with secondary depression, currently rated at 50 percent. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if the Veteran's claim should be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, and the Board has now granted a rating of 70 percent. The claim for TDIU is addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder and social anxiety disorder was not productive of total occupational and social impairment from November 10, 2006 to December 14, 2008. The Board denied a rating greater than 70 percent for this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and left shoulder disability. The claims were adjudicated on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of any in-service stressors, and thus, his diagnosis of PTSD cannot be linked to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to October 18, 2004 and later increased to 50 percent effective from October 18, 2004. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD based on personal assault and other conditions, was denied as there is no credible evidence of a continuity of symptomatology or in-service stressor.

The Veteran's depression is service-connected as secondary to his already service-connected PTSD. His right hand and left elbow disabilities are both rated at 10%.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the other claims, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residual numbness of the right leg or PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient development of his employment information and the need for a new VA examination to assess the impact of PTSD on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 30 percent. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental disorder related to his claimed in-service stressor. For diabetes mellitus, the Board determined that it did not manifest within one year after separation from service and could not be presumed due to exposure to herbicides. Service connection for both conditions was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% disability rating, and his previously denied claim of hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus is reopened. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and TDIU are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notification of unavailability of medical records from a VA medical center.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a higher initial disability evaluation for PTSD, rated 50 percent disabling.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD during service and concluded that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition, including depressive disorder, is not related to his military service.