PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as there are no unresolved issues and the Veteran has not expressed disagreement with any aspect of the June 2011 grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, and he received a noncompensable evaluation for his headaches prior to August 1, 2006. From that date onwards, he was granted a 30% evaluation for his headaches.

The Veteran's disability due to PTSD has been manifested by symptoms of intrusive thoughts, sleep impairment, nightmares, depressed mood and affect, irritability, occasional disorientation, slight memory impairment, and poor concentration that results in no more than moderate to considerable occupational and social impairment. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, dysthymic disorder, depression, and bulimia, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim of service connection for tinnitus remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical treatment records and schedule him for a new VA examination. The purpose of the examination is to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, its relationship with his diagnosed polysubstance abuse, and whether he is able to obtain or retain employment solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the remaining issues to obtain additional medical opinions. The Veteran's skin cancer, heat exhaustion-related anxiety disorder (PTSD), and heart condition are all under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's use of cocaine and its relationship to his death.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, but he received an initial compensable rating (10%) for his hernia residuals prior to June 24, 2008. His claim for a higher rating for the same hernia after that date was also denied.

The Board has determined that further action is required to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and to obtain all relevant medical records. The claims for service connection for PTSD and psychiatric disability other than PTSD are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran currently has no worse than Level VI hearing acuity in his right ear and no worse than Level V hearing acuity in his left ear, which reflects the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's PTSD symptoms and determine his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor related to an alleged sexual assault. The claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed due to the denial of the primary issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and for a TDIU due to issues raised by the Court's Order, including the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Vietnam, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD was granted, with the effective date being January 18, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee scar, arthritis of the pelvic bones, and shin splints were denied. The Board found that there was no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and dysthymic/depressive disorder), head trauma residuals, or hypertension in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his active military service.