PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by moderately severe impairment in social and occupational functioning, irritability, near-continuous depression, obsessive rituals, poor concentration, isolation. A 70 percent disability rating is granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including a new VA examination and review of outstanding VA treatment records. The case will also be reviewed for entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression is being remanded due to the need for clarification of treatment dates and possible additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and MDD is denied as there is no evidence of worsening within one year prior to the March 22, 2008 increased rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, effective January 7, 2008. The claim for a TDIU and the appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD arose at the same time and are premised on the same evidence. As such, the grant of an initial 100 percent rating for PTSD renders moot the appeal for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the claims of service connection for cysts and fatigue.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his PTSD and its impact on employment. The case will be readjudicated following the additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from May 16, 2005. The claim for TDIU has not been met.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected conditions, including PTSD and the residuals of a gunshot wound to the right forearm with arthritis of the right elbow. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was sudden cardiac syndrome, which is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 9, 2007. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment reports and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for left ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. However, there is no current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to his military service. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case (SOC) summarizing the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration under the new version of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is found to be attributable to an in-service sexual assault, and the claim for service connection is granted.