PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD has been granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD and a link between his in-service stressors and his current symptoms.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it based on newly received medical evidence. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms include sleep impairment, hypervigilance, flattened affect, and impaired abstract thinking. He avoids social interactions and keeps his family at a distance.,PTSD symptomatology does not include persistent hallucinations or delusions, grossly inappropriate behaviors, or significant memory loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD with depression is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim in February 2006. The symptoms are severe enough to warrant this evaluation but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Newark, New Jersey. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is related to his active military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include adjustment disorder and PTSD, and as secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury, needs additional development. This includes obtaining VCAA notice, securing all pertinent VA outpatient treatment records since January 2010, scheduling a new VA medical examination, and providing the Veteran with a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for his PTSD rating and for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a retrospective medical opinion regarding his PTSD from May 12, 2004, to February 1, 2007. The TDIU issue must also be addressed as it is inextricably intertwined with the higher initial disability evaluation claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of the Veteran's PTSD and for obtaining outstanding VA treatment records. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD causes total occupational and social impairment, warranting the highest possible rating of 100 percent.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of a traumatic pelvic examination resulting in miscarriage, and the Veteran's stressors are not verified. As such, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including broken teeth, migraine headaches, head injury, dislocated shoulder, hip arthritis, knee arthritis, nose and jaw injuries, diabetes mellitus, thyroid issues, lung problems, throat issues, breathing problems, allergies, gum bleeding, loss of smell/taste, sleep apnea, swallowing problems (dysphagia), blepharitis, ulcers, chronic fatigue syndrome, psychiatric disorders, fear of heights, memory problems, and insomnia are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment over the entire appeals period. As a result, he is entitled to a 100 percent rating for his PTSD since March 7, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple rating decisions for PTSD, including initial and subsequent increases in ratings. The claims also include a request for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as it did not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as his reported in-service stressor has been conceded, he has a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there is medical evidence linking his symptoms to the in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD has been granted, as his symptoms are related to a fear of hostile military activity during his service in Korea.