PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent from March 31, 2000, through September 12, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in service and granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 50 percent since June 3, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD, finding that the symptoms described did not warrant a higher rating than the current 50 percent.

The Board found that the May 13, 1976 motor vehicle accident was not due to the Veteran's willful misconduct. The claims for service connection were adjudicated and a mixed disposition was reached.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosed PTSD. The claims for tinnitus, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability are also being remanded as the July 2010 VA examination did not provide opinions on their etiology.

The Veteran's mental disorder is characterized as depressive disorder, and he does not fully meet the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. Service connection was granted for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective April 5, 2010. The effective date is set at the earliest date of claim, which is August 26, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied by the RO in August 2004. The Board remanded the case multiple times, and the Veteran submitted additional evidence including a November 2010 VA psychiatric evaluation resulting in a diagnosis of PTSD related to military sexual trauma (MST). The AMC continued to deny the claim based on lack of service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of verified stressor and insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, the lowest possible rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board found that his disability picture did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee with degenerative joint disease were denied. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding these issues.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence had been received. However, it was determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD related to a verified in-service stressor event.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of an in-service stressor or a current disability.

The Veteran died from metastatic esophageal cancer. The cause of death is disputed, as the Appellant-widow argues that his PTSD contributed to his condition. The Board has requested a medical opinion on this issue and also needs additional evidence regarding the biopsy report.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The remaining claims for low back condition, neck condition, headaches, and cold weather injury affecting the bilateral hands are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board noted that the lumbar spine strain was rated as 20 percent disabling, right knee disability as 10 percent disabling, and left knee disability as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations and mood. The RO has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The July 2005 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD and combining it with the Veteran's service connected generalized anxiety disorder with schizophrenia was not found to contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD and chronic sinus disorder need further examination and evidence collection to determine if service connection can be granted.