PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for fee basis outpatient psychological services, finding that a geographically accessible VA facility is capable of providing the required psychiatric services.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability and PTSD are related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from January 25, 2006 through March 1, 2007 and later increased to 50 percent beginning March 2, 2007.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and readjudication on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has other psychiatric disabilities, such as Bipolar Disorder, and thus remanded to address whether service connection is warranted for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal as his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with depression is not properly presented due to a final rating decision in 1985. The Veteran did not file a timely appeal of that decision and thus, it became final.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 7, 2005. Since August 31, 2009, the rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent. Separate ratings of 10 percent have also been assigned for traumatic arthritis of both knees.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any innocently acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and depression. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to in-service stressors. His Type II Diabetes Mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his other service-connected disabilities have also been rated appropriately.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by any verified incident during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his military service and have been verified. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to a lack of current disability and no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His claims for hypertension, right shoulder disorder, and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD during service, which is related to his reported in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to new and material evidence received prior to the expiration of the appeal period. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining VA mental health records from August 2002 to March 2003.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss or tinnitus, as well as any psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his reserve component records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment.