PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a comprehensive psychiatric examination. The Veteran contends that his PTSD symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination in May 2011.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as her in-service stressors are related to her active duty service, and she has objective indications of a chronic disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including nightmares, anxiety, and hypervigilance, have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. The initial rating of 50% has been granted for the period from April 14, 2005 to April 3, 2007.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran meets the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD as a result of his military service in Vietnam. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional examination and review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his failure to report for VA examinations and the need to obtain additional service treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and assigned an initial rating of 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and considering new private hospital treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred as a result of his active service. The Board has granted entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 2010, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to February 21, 2006 were moderate in degree and resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The current disability rating of 50 percent from February 21, 2006 is more nearly approximated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is etiologically related to her active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, suspiciousness, panic attacks, nightmares, irritability, paranoia, outbursts of anger and rage, auditory hallucination, social isolation, suicidal ideation, impaired judgment and thinking, disturbance of mood and motivation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene. The Board found that these symptoms warranted a 70 percent rating from March 21, 2005 through August 9, 2010.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, nasal fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent, right knee disability and left knee disability each receive a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy receives a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with related alcohol dependence contributed to cause his ethanol-related seizure disorder, which ultimately resulted in his death. The claim for DIC benefits is moot as the cause of death is now established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and the Veteran's credibility could not be established.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder prior to January 22, 2011 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol abuse and various musculoskeletal issues, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.