PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining VA and SSA records, arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and arranging for an appropriate examination of GERD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 26, 2011 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The right arm disability remains at a 10 percent rating.,PTSD symptoms include nightmares, sleep disturbance, irritability, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Right arm disability includes some pain and soreness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and an evaluation of whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and readjudication of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, and entitlement to an extension of a temporary total rating beyond June 1, 2009, are also addressed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional treatment records.