PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of moderate to severe symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood.,PTSD has prevented the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as his symptoms are related to in-service stressors and he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's death was found to be due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes, PTSD, multiple skin disorders, hypertension, and urinary changes. The Board determined that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether these conditions caused him to require aid and attendance from another person, thus granting special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with Generalized Anxiety Disorder is due to service and grants service connection for these conditions. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a lung condition due to lack of verified in-service stressors and no evidence linking the conditions to service, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service in Vietnam and supported by credible evidence. The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD due to fear of hostile military action during his time in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total social and occupational impairment, but rather indicated reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the appeal for service connection for residuals of a bilateral ankle disorder and residuals of a bilateral knee disorder due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA medical records from March 2009 to the present.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 100 percent, effective as of the date of his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are not.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and a service-connected hip condition do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his PTSD with depression and anxiety disability rating is maintained at 30%. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence supports his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran does not have residuals of a traumatic brain injury or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD that were caused by his service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and depression. However, the claim remains denied as there is no valid diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing and for adjudication of the TDIU claim after the PTSD ratings decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is not related to his military service and denied both claims for service connection. The right inguinal hernia scar was granted but with no compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination and opinion regarding whether he has this condition related to his verified stressor event in service.