PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case to allow a travel board hearing and declined to reopen the claim of service connection for schizophrenia, while denying the claim for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his experiences during military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the claims and concluded that there was no direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran had no other diagnosed psychiatric condition, and thus his PTSD alone met the criteria for a 100% rating. His initial PTSD rating of 30% was increased to 50%, effective September 18, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU from January 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a 70% disability rating effective from July 20, 2006. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met at any point during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for muscle spasms of the chest and shoulder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and a low back disability. The decision also referred the issue of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability to the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to the in-service stressor event.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent from December 2, 2003 to December 8, 2009.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including manic depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if her service-connected TMJ with myofascial pain caused or aggravated her psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for undiagnosed illness and PTSD have been granted. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability determination records and related medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there was no evidence linking any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder to his service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and Vet Center treatment records, clarifying whether the Veteran applied for Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, scheduling examinations to assess the severity of PTSD and any other claimed disabilities, and seeking medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has expanded the claim to include any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. Further development is needed due to inadequate medical evidence regarding current diagnoses and a possible service connection.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran is advised of how he can provide information or evidence to assist with these efforts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating for the entire period of appeal, as his symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating.