PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD, currently rated at 70 percent. The case has been remanded to determine if the condition results in total occupational and social impairment and whether it renders him unable to find substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination.

The case is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing at the Buffalo, New York RO. The appellant has the right to submit additional evidence and argument.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder (depression, pain disorder, and PTSD) is found to be incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to be productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current eye disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show continuity of symptoms since service discharge.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by, his service-connected PTSD.,During the rating period on appeal, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by depression, chronic sleep disturbances, and isolation; however, there is no evidence of experiences suicidal or homicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, speech intermittently illogical, near continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, or spatial disorientation.

The Board denied service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for Tinea Versicolor.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 1, 2001. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims may be caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, coronary artery disease, and type II diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded to provide a VA examination and address the issue of secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, alcohol and cannabis dependence, an alcohol-induced mood disorder, a pain disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and a sinus disorder. The denial is based on lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD are related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided the case requires further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if his service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease alone render him unable to find or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to July 22, 2010 and 70 percent disabling beginning July 22, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, while his service-connected residuals of a crush injury to the left great and second toes were granted with a 20% disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, a right eye disability, rheumatic fever residuals, PTSD, and a dental condition. The decision is final as it was not appealed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not warrant a higher initial rating than 70 percent, and his claim for service connection of fibromyalgia is also denied.