PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his previously diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or any in-service disease, event, or injury. The examiner is also asked to address whether these conditions are due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as a result of combat experiences in Vietnam. Service connection was also granted for heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, and prostate disorder based on the presumption that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for osteoarthritis, coronary artery disease and a bilateral foot disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during the July 2010 hearing.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, as his reported stressors are supported by credible evidence and there is a link between his current symptoms and the claimed in-service stressor. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending due to lack of official combat verification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on September 19, 2004. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set as June 8, 1995.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 11, 2010 and at 70 percent from that date. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as she does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim should be remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated private treatment records and conducting a comprehensive VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for PTSD but now seeks an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other non-service connected psychiatric disorders, results in total occupational and social impairment. As such, a 100 percent rating is granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, right arm fracture residuals, and tinnitus) are considered to render him incapable of participating in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the earliest date entitlement to a TDIU arose was June 11, 2010, and thus grants an effective date of that date for the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD were denied. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable, while his PTSD warranted a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has ordered additional development as requested by the Veteran, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) evidence. The appeal will be remanded for further review after these documents are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a heart disability, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's PTSD rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to a sexual trauma in service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed depression is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's spouse is denied basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because there is no evidence that the Veteran is totally and permanently disabled due to her service-connected PTSD.