PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for psychiatric disability other than PTSD (to include anxiety and depression), testicle disability, and prostate disability are also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss permanently aggravated his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the left foot disability claim, and his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities (PTSD) were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is granted, and his claim to reopen the psychiatric disorder claim is also granted. The Veteran is awarded an increased rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to a verified in-service sexual assault, with resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and her service, including in-service personal assaults.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's reported in-service combat-related stressors are sufficient to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for diabetic retinopathy is remanded due to receipt of additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and attributed to a corroborated in-service stressor, thus granting service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 2, 2009, due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not substantially or materially contribute to the Veteran's death, which was caused by a spinal cord stroke.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach ulcers and posttraumatic stress disorder have been reopened, but further development is needed to decide the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 8, 2007. The evidence shows moderate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is to increase the initial rating for his service-connected PTSD from 30 percent to a higher percentage. The RO/AMC has been instructed to schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination and readjudicate the claim based on all additional evidence received.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the degree of impairment due to PTSD. The claim will be readjudicated following completion of these actions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; residuals of a right wrist injury; and sinusitis. The Board finds that further examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to determine if her current psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence to support it. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder secondary to military sexual trauma has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for compliance with 38 C.F.R. § 19.29(b) and the issuance of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it fails to demonstrate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.