PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective May 31, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for proper due process notice with regard to the new and material claims, including a definition of new and material evidence under the prior standard in effect before August 29, 2001.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether it renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. The decision grants an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD and denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as he currently suffers from the condition and it is causally related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and COPD. The Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of any claimed in-service stressors.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the earliest date of service-connected PTSD and whether it represents progression or correction of an earlier diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified was granted effective December 12, 2011. The appeal of the issues of hearing loss and tinnitus is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no competent evidence linking the current condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating since May 9, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has PTSD, which is necessary for service connection. The RO/AMC will also attempt to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of serious impairment, with an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances. The Board finds that entitlement to a higher evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD arose as of February 17, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining mental health records and determining the credibility of the Veteran's allegations.

The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression and headaches, as his claimed stressor could not be verified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death, caused by respiratory failure due to pulmonary fibrosis, was associated with his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess whether the Veteran's PTSD symptoms render him unable to engage in substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, alcohol dependence, and opiate dependence, has been found to warrant a 30 percent schedular evaluation since the date of service connection. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.