PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's psychiatric disability other than PTSD is also addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were productive of total occupational and social impairment starting on August 11, 2004. The Board granted an effective date of August 11, 2004 for the assignment of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the claims for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and TDIU were also denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD remains in controversy as less than the maximum benefit available has been awarded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and he has an acquired psychiatric disorder that is not due to willful misconduct. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as the issue of whether new and material evidence was submitted is still under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does have PTSD related to in-service stressors and grants service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are related to his service. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD should be October 17, 2006, based on new and material evidence received after a previous denial in February 2003.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent and later increased to 70 percent effective January 12, 2007. He also received a TDIU award effective the same date.,PTSD rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 8, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD to support the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The case will also be reviewed to determine if he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without aid.

The Board denied service connection for narcotic addiction as secondary to a service-connected left shoulder disability and found no causal relationship between hyperkeratotic lesions on the plantar surfaces of both feet and service. The Veteran's claims for TDIU were also addressed in the remand portion, but are not included in this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain a head injury in service and does not currently have a disability manifested by headaches or tinnitus. The claim for PTSD was remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an examination and address his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to the underlying cause of his death, which was CAD. The Board finds that this contribution is due to the aggravation of his pre-existing CAD by his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prior to January 8, 2008 is characterized by chronic symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and major depressive disorder. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD was granted on March 27, 2007 based on the findings of an August 2007 VA examination.