PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied. The appellant does not meet the criteria for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence corroborating his alleged stressor events in service. The claim to reopen a psychiatric disability other than PTSD was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from November 1, 2004 until January 31, 2007 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The bilateral hip disorders were each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 20 percent.

Service connection for PTSD with major depression was granted, effective from March 14, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's PTSD. The TDIU issue is also being addressed.

The Veteran's depression with PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, resulting in a 50 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed stressors and determine if he has PTSD as a result of in-service experiences. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is also being remanded because it is intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, including combat experiences in Vietnam and fear of hostile military activity. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran suffers from PTSD and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 12, 2000. The Board found that the current disability level does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70 percent since December 19, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms of insomnia, flashbacks, social isolation, and recurrent thoughts. These symptoms demonstrate occupational and social impairment with no more than occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, splenectomy residuals, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and kidney stones. The Board finds that the evidence supports the conclusion that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed service connection for PTSD cannot be granted due to a lack of verified stressor and the Veteran's fabrication of his alleged service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by total occupational impairment, warranting a 100% schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is being remanded due to the need for further development. The case will be returned to the RO after scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a 70% rating for PTSD, but his other claims remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to her military service and grants her claim for service connection.