PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for a TDIU during the period on appeal, as his other disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as all reasonable doubt has been resolved in his favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric condition other than PTSD due to lack of credible or corroborated stressors reported by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including examinations and additional information regarding his employment status.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The residuals of a lower extremity cold weather injury were also not related to an in-service disease or injury, including residuals of frostbite.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his service, including any reported in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and mental disorder (to include PTSD) are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of some occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. His hypertension was not found to be related to service-connected DM.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to reassess his PTSD and associated conditions, including major depression, dysthymia, and alcohol dependence. The initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the updated evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to December 29, 2006. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains denied as the criteria do not meet for a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for PTSD based on a confirmed in-service stressor of an ectopic pregnancy.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and fibromyalgia are all granted. The Veteran experienced traumatic events during his service in the Persian Gulf War, which led to a diagnosis of PTSD. His fibromyalgia is considered an undiagnosed illness related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected urinary frequency, residual of a prostatectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent and meets the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, and the case is being remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis and awarded a TDIU. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but the effective date remains August 20, 2008. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied and is not currently under consideration.