PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

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 and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD due to a verified stressor incurred in service and concludes that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is found to have a verified in-service stressor and a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder related to his military service, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, heart disease, hypertension, and endocarditis. The evidence did not show that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his in-service stressors and current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying his representation status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence submitted since the July 2007 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service connected, with the diagnosis being a direct result of his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his cognitive disorder was granted, effective October 23, 2008. The effective date for the grant of service connection for a cognitive disorder is set at November 21, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder was granted effective August 24, 2004. However, his claims of service connection for a nervous condition (PTSD-like symptoms) and drug addiction were denied in September 1984.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request to reschedule his videoconference hearing. The claims for service connection will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the merits of the claim may be addressed, including obtaining morning reports and other relevant documentation from the Veteran's unit, as well as a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that the Veteran's statements about racial harassment during service are credible and establishing a link between his current symptoms and in-service events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it is linked to a confirmed in-service stressor related to his friend's death during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was denied as there is no credible evidence of a stressor that occurred during his military service. The claim for reopening the bilateral knee disability was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive and restrictive lung disease, major depressive disorder and anxiety, onychomycosis (secondary to diabetes mellitus), left shoulder disability, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), heart disease (including congestive heart failure and edema of the legs) (presumptively due to Agent Orange exposure), PTSD, and granted an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered, including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling as of September 17, 2008. The Board granted an initial rating greater than the currently assigned 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examination and development due to insufficient detail in previous medical opinions, incomplete documentation of service stressors, and failure to consider updated regulations regarding PTSD.