PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board finds that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 10, 2005, for service connection of PTSD did not meet the criteria. The earliest date on which he was diagnosed with PTSD is August 16, 2006.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is related to his period of active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with symptoms of schizoaffective disorder is dismissed due to lack of a clear and unmistakable error claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and is rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available.

The Veteran's cause of death was anoxic encephalopathy secondary to cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction and failure, acute renal failure needing dialysis, and respiratory failure needing ventilator support. The appellant asserts that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his heart disease, which led to his death. The Board finds that VA records may contain relevant information and requests for such records be made. Additionally, a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran had an ischemic heart condition before his death and whether it was related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for discontinuance of withholding of military retirement pay from VA disability benefits is denied as the program does not allow retroactive payments prior to its effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of claim. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left shoulder disorder, and traumatic brain injury were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The VA examinations did not find any evidence of a traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's rhabdomylosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD are found to be the result of VA treatment, specifically the administration of high levels of simvastatin. The Board finds that this constitutes a direct service connection as it was not due to negligence or carelessness on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development and consideration, including obtaining clarification on his Social Security benefits and scheduling VA examinations to reassess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed stressors are not verified. Therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) due to a lack of verified stressors, and because there was no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and left ankle conditions, meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to their combined effect on his ability to work.