PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressor events in service and examination by a psychiatrist and orthopedist.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 2005, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD and a TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from SSA.

The Veteran's shrapnel wound of the right knee is rated noncompensable, and his service-connected PTSD does not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's shrapnel wound of the right knee has been rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 5311 due to a slight disability picture. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not affect his ability to work.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive neurosis. The evidence received since the December 1990 denial of the claim relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (a nexus between the Veteran's claimed PTSD and his claimed in-service stressors) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development and consideration being required, including a VA examination for psychiatric and respiratory disorders.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required before the claims can be adjudicated. The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and the provision of relevant treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, the highest available under the criteria for PTSD. The symptoms include suicidal ideation, unprovoked irritability with periods of violence, and difficulty in establishing effective relationships.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the May 2007 denial relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive psychiatric examination. His TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with his PTSD claim and will be addressed concurrently.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board finds that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death, which was caused by an accidental fall resulting from dizziness and imbalance due to medications for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as this is a procedural matter.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diverticulosis, residuals of bowel obstruction, and gastroesophageal disease have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for kidney stones, skin cancer, hypertension, coronary artery disease, depression and anxiety, and PTSD have been granted based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to exposure to decomposed bodies during his service aboard the U.S.S. Coronado.

The Board has remanded the case due to a recent amendment to VA regulations regarding service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's PTSD is being evaluated based on his statements about his experiences in Iraq, which included feeling scared. If the evidence of record is insufficient, he will be afforded a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion under the duty to assist.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Veteran is required to provide specific dates of treatment at the Vet Center and any associated records must be obtained.