PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to determine his current functional and occupational capacity due to PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be readjudicated after the issuance of a statement of the case.

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

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor or a diagnosed condition related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol dependence is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,A 50 percent disability rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence, effective from October 1, 2008, was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD has been received, thus allowing the claim to be considered on its merits.

Prior to June 8, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,Between June 8, 2010 and February 8, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD met the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 2001 to present. The case will be returned to the Board after this development is completed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service personal assault and its impact on his current condition. The case will be further examined with a focus on corroborating evidence of behavior changes after the alleged incident.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for his PTSD is being remanded due to the lack of evidence reflecting his condition throughout the lengthy appeal period, which now spans nearly ten years. The VA is required to consider the level of the veteran's impairment throughout the entire period and assign staged ratings if necessary.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since the initial grant of service connection in November 2004 and increased to 30 percent effective July 30, 2010. The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for skin rash prior to the Board's decision.,The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity over the entire appeals period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam. The issue of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the right elbow has been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective July 1, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining claims, including those related to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded due to conflicting statements regarding his military duties.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to July 5, 2006 due to significant symptoms including nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and memory loss. The Veteran had been unable to engage in substantial gainful employment from November 13, 2005 to July 4, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Board also granted TDIU based on the severity of his PTSD.