PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 30 percent disability evaluation for PTSD. Service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension were also granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam. However, service connection for BPH was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his PTSD rating and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disability, irritable bowel syndrome, and hypertension have been denied. The case is remanded to obtain further medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression was rated at 70 percent effective April 13, 2007.,The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU effective April 13, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service, including considering whether symptoms during or shortly after service may be identified as manifestations of a chronic disease.

The Veteran's spouse is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38 of the United States Code due to the expiration of the delimiting period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with dysthymic disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and awarded a noncompensable evaluation for onychomycosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to comply with VA's duty to assist in obtaining his treatment records from the Oak Park Veteran Center and for a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and compensation for PTSD was remanded by the Board due to the need for additional development, including a retroactive medical opinion and determination of appropriate effective dates.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from the initial grant of service connection. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service, including a verified in-service stressor or fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a psychiatric examination and review of all relevant records. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD based on the Veteran's reported in-service assault, finding that his symptoms are causally related to these events. The other claims were not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in service, with the stressors occurring during his Vietnam service and a military police incident outside of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Board granted service connection for PTSD based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any non-PTSD psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service stressor and his acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder, are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and lumbosacral spine disabilities leave him in need of assistance or result in his being housebound. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case to attempt to verify in-service stressors claimed by the Veteran, specifically involving combat operations off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon and a collision with another vessel. The Veteran should be afforded a VA PTSD examination to determine if a diagnosis of PTSD is warranted and whether it was caused by verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal to the March 2006 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD and depression was not timely filed.