PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that a service-connected disability aided, hastened, or lent assistance to production of his death. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by continuous sadness, anxiety, irritability to include angry outbursts, insomnia, impairment of ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), and a limited degree of both social and interpersonal relationships as well as a family role. The Board has determined that the criteria for an initial rating of 70 percent have been met.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran initially met the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status on June 10, 2003 due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities. The effective date cannot be earlier than this as it is the earliest point where he satisfied the requirements.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the underlying claim for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted, while the diabetes mellitus claim requires further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted. His claims for increased disability rating for mechanical low back pain and TDIU have also been granted.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The diagnosis of PTSD has been made, and the Veteran served in a combat zone during his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD are related to his active service, including combat experiences in Vietnam. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective August 14, 2005, due to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, as diagnosed by VA mental health professionals based on his reported experiences in Vietnam. The benefit-of-the-doubt is resolved in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 21, 2004. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the symptoms have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus no evaluation was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for service connection and increased ratings are not addressed in the decision. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disorder, initial increased rating for PTSD, initial increased rating for left shoulder scar (prior to June 11, 2011), and initial increased rating for dyshidrosis have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective January 23, 1989. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is found to have been productive of a disability picture that more closely resembled occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an increased evaluation of 50 percent prior to April 9, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested by suicidal ideation, chronic sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts and recollections, nightmares, irritability and anger, anxiety, hypervigilance, poor concentration, social isolation, panic attacks, 'hearing things/voices,' an inability to establish relationships, and occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted as of January 11, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, specifically regarding verification of claimed stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining the Veteran's service personnel records and attempting to obtain missing treatment records from the 1980s.