PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) is presumed to have been incurred during active military service due to herbicide exposure. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. As a result, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are likely due to noise exposure during service, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 12, 2008. The Board finds that the current rating of 50 percent adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected PTSD disability and an evaluation of whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

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

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's reported stressors and scheduling a VA examination to assess whether PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his reported stressors are consistent with the circumstances of his service and he has been diagnosed with PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence related to combat status and verified stressors.

The Board found that there was clear and unmistakable error in the original award of service connection for PTSD, thus denying the request to sever it.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder has been granted, and the initial rating assigned is 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute to his death, and denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records, VA medical records from specific time periods, and a statement from his private health caregiver regarding headaches. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 20, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to her active service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective September 1, 2004. He is also granted TDIU effective September 1, 2004 based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a PTSD examination, and determining the current severity of diabetes mellitus.