PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, to his military service. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical opinions regarding the cause of his conditions.

Your claim to reopen your service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the RO has already granted you service connection and assigned a disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board has granted TDIU benefits based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD was denied as the criteria for a higher rating were not met or approximated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular percentage standards for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The case is being remanded to consider whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to August 9, 2007 was rated at 30 percent disabling. Since then, the rating has been increased to 50 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and denied both claims. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating. The Board denied the claim for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in his appeals and unverified stressor allegations. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his military service due to in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, including on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims for hypertension and diabetic eye disability are pending.

The Board has recharacterized the Veteran's claim as an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, bipolar disorder, and MDD. The case is REMANDED for further development including obtaining service treatment records from her first period of active service, VA treatment records, SSA disability determination with medical records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be attributable to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The right knee and low back disorders are also found to be related to service-connected left knee chondromalacia patella.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a more contemporaneous PTSD examination. The service connection claim on appeal will also be remanded to determine if the facial tic disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board finds that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right upper extremity and/or the right foot due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with dysthymic disorder, dumping syndrome, and other disabilities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder(s), to include PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.