PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to address the amended regulations regarding service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's earlier effective date for PTSD should be February 22, 1993. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial disability rating of 100 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an updated VA medical opinion and considering all psychiatric diagnoses raised by the record.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's facial skin disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability. The TDIU claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 2005, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired short- and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is now granted, with the diagnosis of PTSD related to his reported in-service stressors. Service connection for T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia, sinus disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced productivity, warranting a 50% evaluation prior to December 30, 2009. From that date, the evidence does not support an increase in disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also found that his PTSD is so severe as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are found to be related to his military service, including exposure to hostile military activity in Vietnam. The Board grants service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination of his service-connected PTSD. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive a higher disability rating for PTSD and if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran does not have PTSD and the preponderance of evidence shows that his current psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Veteran's service-connected lower back disability is not manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months. Therefore, his claim for higher ratings was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is supported by medical records, and his statements regarding in-service stressors have been corroborated through independent evidence. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service stressors and noise exposure. The diagnoses are supported by VA medical records and expert opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted and assigned an initial evaluation of 30 percent, which was increased to 50 percent effective the date of service connection. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent disabling with separate ratings for peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities as well as erectile dysfunction. The low back disability is rated at 20 percent.