PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, cervical spine disability, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, left hand disability to include frostbite residuals, and right hand disability to include frostbite residuals have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, but the underlying claim remains denied as there is insufficient credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in June 2008, finding that the Moving Party did not engage in combat with the enemy and could not provide credible evidence to support his claimed stressors. The decision is upheld as there was no clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, and thus grants this aspect of his appeal.

The Veteran is seeking a higher educational assistance rate due to his service-connected PTSD. The claim was remanded for obtaining complete service personnel and treatment records, including any MEB or PEB records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for an increased rating of PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from January 23, 2012. Prior to this date, the rating was 50 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is as likely as not attributable to events during his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD had its onset in service and granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to a failure to provide an SOC.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to December 15, 2011 and at 100 percent as of that date. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD does not result in the symptoms required for a higher evaluation, as he does not have suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, speech impairment, or other severe symptoms that would warrant a rating above 50 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, including anxiety and depression. The case is remanded for further development regarding PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, peptic ulcer disease, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment since November 18, 1993.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure, and glaucoma as secondary to diabetes are all denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam and thus could not grant presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure. Diabetes was not present during service or within one year after discharge, and there is no medical evidence linking it to service. Glaucoma was also not shown to be related to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The appeal will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities, and for obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is not manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.