PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing as requested by the appellant. The RO will schedule and notify the appellant of the date and time of the hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired chronic psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left rotator cuff injury and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been characterized as mild, with transient symptoms requiring continuous medication.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher initial rating of 50 percent is warranted based on his occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service-connection claim for PTSD, but has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with panic disorder and obsessive compulsions, finding that the Veteran did not file a claim prior to December 15, 1993.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, did not begin during service and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the purpose of obtaining additional VA treatment records and readjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD or any other psychiatric disability due to his military service and denied his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is service connected as it was incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and his degenerative arthritis of the feet. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including OCD and depressive disorder NOS, is related to his service. His hypertension is not shown to be directly related to his service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the July 2010 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD due to MST, requires additional development and a remand. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has restored the 20 percent ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, effective November 1, 2008. The increased rating claims for both knees have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's account of his stressor was inconsistent with the circumstances of his service and did not meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The appeal regarding reduction in evaluation of coronary artery disease from February 2, 2009 to February 8, 2010 is dismissed as moot since a new rating decision has been issued. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, manifested by depression and anxiety are being remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of stressors and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and considering whether referral for an extraschedular rating or TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted.

The Board finds the evidence is at least in equipoise as it pertains to whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD that is related to military stressors. The Veteran's service records show he served in Vietnam and experienced life-threatening events, witnessing death, prolonged periods of hyperarousal with perpetual fear from enemy attack, and experiencing symptoms such as severe sleep disturbances and nightmares.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet all eligibility criteria for the liberalized benefit (PTSD) since April 11, 1980.