PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders and TB. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after the additional development is completed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran's symptoms are better explained by his alcohol abuse. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to his Afghanistan deployment have been granted, with the diagnosis of PTSD based on fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The conditions are presumed due to exposure in a war zone.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of post operative residuals of left acromioclavicular separation was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side or ankylosis, and the highest available rating is 30 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request by the appellant's authorized representative prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD related to a stressor event in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and has not established a service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, eye disorder (claimed as eye sight), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The evidence did not establish a direct link to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to January 11, 2011 and not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent beginning January 11, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the underlying medical questions presented by this case.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of recent evidence.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and adjudication, including affording the Veteran a hearing before the Decision Review Officer and the issuance of a statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for a right knee disability and hypertension. The decision on these issues is mixed as some elements support reopening while others do not.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, pulmonary fibrosis due to asbestos exposure, hernia due to exploratory surgery (flexible sigmoidoscopy), and low back condition. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining more recent VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA audiology and PTSD examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches, and epididymitis have been granted initial evaluations from September 1, 2007 to February 10, 2011. The Veteran is currently receiving a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD.