PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's depression is service-connected as secondary to his already service-connected PTSD. His right hand and left elbow disabilities are both rated at 10%.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the other claims, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residual numbness of the right leg or PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient development of his employment information and the need for a new VA examination to assess the impact of PTSD on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 30 percent. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental disorder related to his claimed in-service stressor. For diabetes mellitus, the Board determined that it did not manifest within one year after separation from service and could not be presumed due to exposure to herbicides. Service connection for both conditions was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% disability rating, and his previously denied claim of hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus is reopened. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and TDIU are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notification of unavailability of medical records from a VA medical center.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a higher initial disability evaluation for PTSD, rated 50 percent disabling.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD during service and concluded that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition, including depressive disorder, is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by hypervigilance, impaired sleep, flashbacks, social avoidance and isolation, irritability and anxiety; with a decline in the Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) score from 53 to 50. The criteria for an initial rating of 50 percent have been met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and acquired psychiatric disorder are at least as likely as not attributable to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted. The criteria for direct service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical development to evaluate his current disability level due to PTSD, as he contends that his symptoms have increased.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule the Veteran for a hearing, and the appeal is now pending before the RO in Newark, New Jersey.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to evaluate his lumbar degenerative disc disease and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from July 23, 2008. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks about once a week, very mild impairment of memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Board found that the Veteran did not timely file a Substantive Appeal in his challenge to the October 2001 rating decision for PTSD, and dismissed his increased rating claim for lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed on the claims of service connection for prostate cancer and depression, including obtaining VA records since June 2008.