PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for SMC benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as his service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD with depression, duodenal ulcer, coronary atherosclerosis, scar from bypass surgery, diabetes mellitus type II with impotence, and associated peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these service-connected conditions.

Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for a low back condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptomatology, including flattened affect, sleep impairment with nightmares and flashbacks, suicidal ideations, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, particularly in a worklike setting, and inability to establish effective relationships due to severe isolative tendencies, warrants a 70 percent evaluation beginning April 10, 2008.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 26, 2010, at Capital for a headache following a CT myelogram are approved as the condition was of such severity that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for PTSD, a sleep disorder, and residuals of a neck and back injury. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these matters as the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's service-connected scar and other residuals of splinter puncture wound to the left thigh. The case is also remanded for additional development regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection, whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected disability for any of the conditions she claims, including PTSD, hiatal hernia, hypertension, burn scar on the right middle finger, sleep disorder, hordeolum of the right eyelid, arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the knees, arthritis of the feet, arthritis of the hands, arthritis of the wrists, arthritis of the elbows, and arthritis of the right shoulder.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including another VA psychiatric examination and notification of secondary service connection requirements.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is manifested by severe symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran is found to have been precluded from performing all appropriate forms of substantially gainful employment by reason of service-connected disability beginning on January 31, 2005, but not prior thereto.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since May 1, 2006, due to total occupational and social impairment. The claim for TDIU is moot as the PTSD rating already grants a full disability evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was not shown to have been manifested by total occupational and social impairment during the period from June 16, 2005 to March 4, 2007. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation.

Your claim for service connection for PTSD has been resolved in your favor, and the issue is no longer in dispute.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are sufficiently established, and he is granted service connection for PTSD related to his reported Vietnam experiences. The Veteran's depression is also found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, classified as obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, has been rated at 50 percent since the day following his separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD. The Veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD related to his military service or any other psychiatric disability, and whether it is at least as likely as not that such condition began during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and review of all relevant VA treatment records. The issue will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, related to his active service. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has residuals of a head injury, to include dizziness, anger and irritability, and sleep disturbance, related to his active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to personal assault, based on new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial.