PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and has reopened the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Additional development is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied both the cause of death claim and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 29, 2008. The rating reflects near total occupational and social impairment with Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores of 25 to 55, indicative of substantial to moderate impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment prospects and to determine if he meets the criteria for TDIU. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD are also inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted, but his claim for new and material evidence to reopen his diabetes mellitus claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, which was caused by osteomyelitis due to or as a consequence of end stage renal disease (ESRD).

The Veteran's spouse and children were granted an additional apportionment of $150 a month on behalf of the children, with reductions due to their ages. The award is effective from January 13, 2006, but not during December 28, 2007 through August 14, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and obtaining recent treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% disability rating effective December 20, 2007. The earlier effective date of May 12, 2005 for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) are found to render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, primarily PTSD and depression, results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, personal relations, and mood. The Board finds that a rating of 70 percent is warranted for the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and reassessing the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of TBI, including memory loss, migraine headaches and irritability, were incurred in active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran suffers from an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and dysthymia. The examiner should consider verified events such as personal assault in December 1969 and numerous planes crashing into the sea while aboard USS Ranger.

The Board has determined that additional substantive development is necessary with respect to the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, or on account of being housebound. The case is REMANDED to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to August 28, 2001 was not manifested by symptoms that would warrant a higher initial evaluation.