PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if any identified psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to service, including considering whether a pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acne, bilateral foot pain, high cholesterol, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder have been denied. The claim for service connection for acne was previously denied due to it being a preexisting condition not aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disability and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his kidney disability due to herbicide exposure, as there is no evidence linking it to such exposure or any other theory of entitlement. For PTSD, additional VA examination and treatment records are needed before the claim can be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 15, 2008. The VA examiner found that the Veteran exhibits significant occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as hypervigilance, flashbacks, nightmares, suicidal ideation, social avoidance, irritability, impaired impulse control, near continuous depression, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, and the Board finds that he also meets the criteria for service connection of schizophrenia based on his in-service stressors. The claim for schizophrenia is being remanded to further develop the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from August 9, 2007. The evidence shows that the disability picture more closely approximates severe occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent for the period prior to November 19, 2009; 50 percent from November 19, 2009 to May 16, 2010; and 70 percent beginning May 17, 2010. The appeal is denied as the criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD should be remanded to allow for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 14, 2004. The rating is based on the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation due to symptoms such as occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have insomnia or bronchitis, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, a groin disorder, and bilateral foot disability are remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his in-service stressors are confirmed and he has a diagnosis of PTSD related to those stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and that his psychiatric disorder is based on misconduct (lifelong drug abuse) with evidence of a personality disorder manifested by antisocial features.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is based on a lack of current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and therefore, his surviving spouse is not entitled to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted as VA first received his application for these benefits on August 28, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine if the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors, which may support a diagnosis of PTSD.