PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the case requires further development due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's claims for service connection, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, rhinitis, lung cancer, and back disability will be remanded for additional examination and review.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as strained relationships, limited social activities, depression, anxiety, and impaired concentration. He has been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since the effective date of his service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective May 11, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to incomplete documentation and procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to reassess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and determine if he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD should be April 29, 1981 (but no earlier), based on the receipt and consideration of additional service department records.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine whether the Veteran currently has PTSD and if so, whether it is related to any confirmed stressors. The RO must also attempt to contact medical providers who diagnosed PTSD and request that they explain their diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify if the Veteran's reported stressors occurred during service, and to determine whether he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD and chronic major depression.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been found to approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating, which is higher than the current 50 percent evaluation. The Board has granted an increased rating in this case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lay testimony alone may establish the occurrence of a stressor related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, leading to service connection for PTSD and depression.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was incurred or aggravated in service. The claim will be reviewed based on the examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not etiologically related to his period of service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection based on a service-connected disorder.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death was not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability, including PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's current PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS is of service origin and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, which is considered service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for additional examination. The Veteran's claims file must be reviewed, including Social Security Administration records, and an updated opinion on service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders must be provided.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and prostate cancer were denied, as the claims are considered withdrawn due to his request. The appeal for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has more nearly approximated the criteria for a 100 percent schedular evaluation throughout the period from March 1, 2006 to the present.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining more detailed information about in-service stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, social avoidance, mild hypervigilance, and difficulty concentrating. However, these symptoms have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.