PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, which the Veteran contends were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 70 percent since August 7, 2008. The other conditions (tinnitus, chloracne, intermittent claudication of the legs) have not been resolved in this decision.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, began during active service or is related to an incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating.,Right ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disorder have been granted. The initial compensable evaluations for scars of the right hand and pseudofolliculitis barbae are also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressors are consistent with his service and may be accepted as sufficient evidence of their occurrence. The Veteran is ordered to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and whether there exists a nexus between the established stressors and his PTSD symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral ankle, hip, leg, hearing loss, lung disability (other than pulmonary tuberculosis), skin disability, psychiatric disability (PTSD), and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are mild, with no significant impairment in occupational or social functioning. The VA examiner found a GAF score of 65, indicating some mild symptoms and impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for the period beginning November 6, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest available rating of 100 percent since September 14, 2007. The shrapnel wounds of the right mid-thigh have been rated at 10 percent.,Effective June 18, 2010, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's psychiatric symptomatology, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, was found to warrant a 50 percent evaluation from June 29, 2006 through September 14, 2008, and a 70 percent evaluation from September 15, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is related to his in-service fear of enemy fire. The initial noncompensable rating for erectile dysfunction and the 10 percent rating for IBS are maintained, but a higher rating is granted for IBS.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his PTSD and skin condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is based on an identified stressor of fear of enemy fire during convoy missions while assigned to RVN. The claim for drug abuse was not addressed due to its nature as a separate issue.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since May 2, 2007. The VA examiner found that the Veteran exhibited occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as persistent re-experiencing of traumatic events, avoidance behavior, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, and distressing dreams.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's claim seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be reconsidered due to new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for his PTSD disability, as well as whether he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it is linked to his military experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and need for clarification of medical opinions regarding his service-connected PTSD, gastrointestinal condition, fungus on both feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.