PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, did not have onset during service or is not related to his active duty. The back disability was also found not to be linked to service. Lastly, the skin condition other than pseudofolliculitis barbae was deemed unrelated to service.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression), a back disability, and a skin disability other than pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a new opinion on whether any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective January 11, 2008. This rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 1, 2008. The Board also granted a TDIU due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to additional development needed, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board found that while there was credible evidence of a motor vehicle accident in service, the diagnosis of PTSD based on this stressor is not supported by the record. As such, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and to determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO level.

The Board has granted a higher disability rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his symptoms more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection, but the RO found that it does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and obtain medical opinions regarding his psychiatric, skin, and hepatitis C conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing at the local RO. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to January 20, 2011, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD has been remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also addressed in this Remand section.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated at a 50 percent rating since November 4, 2010.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to ensure the Veteran receives proper consideration of her claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral knee disorder have been reopened, but the evidence does not support these claims. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, the claim for a bilateral knee disorder was denied as there is no medical nexus between the current condition and active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD, including stressor confirmation and a VA examination to determine if his PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the in-service stressors and further examination by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.