PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to a lack of a medical opinion linking his PTSD symptoms to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination with a VA psychiatrist or psychologist to assess whether he has PTSD as a result of any in-service stressor involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder not including PTSD, as new and material evidence has been received. The issue of whether this condition is related to service remains under consideration.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the Veteran's PTSD and substance abuse claims, including a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection and employment.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic nasal disorder in service or subsequent to service, and concluded that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis is not related to his service. For psychiatric claims, there was insufficient evidence to establish an in-service stressor or link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified stressors and combat experience, finding that his claimed stressors were not supported by credible evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested primarily by depression, nightmares, impaired sleep, irritability, severe startle response, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores of 52, 55, and 60. These symptoms demonstrate no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for mengingioma and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a cognitive disorder, were denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claim for mengingioma. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is not likely a medical relationship between his current PTSD and an in-service automobile accident. The issue of psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, as his combined rating is 90 percent and does not include one disability rated at least 40 percent. The Board finds that he can still obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a low back disorder or an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain information about the appellant's claimed military sexual trauma and to determine if he was exposed to a stressor or stressors in service, which may be related to his psychiatric disabilities.

Prior to October 4, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with disturbances of motivation and mood and difficulty in establishing occupational and social relationships.,From October 4, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD is manifested by difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, impaired impulse control, inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, intermittently illogical speech, and suicidal ideations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD prior to his death and the Board found that any diagnosed psychiatric disability did not have a relationship with his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security disability records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for sinusitis and PTSD, but denied reopening of the claim for a left knee disability. The Veteran's new evidence does not provide sufficient medical opinion to establish a link between his current disabilities and military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining missing service separation examination and records of any investigations into allegations of inappropriate behavior by drill instructors. A VA psychiatric examination is also required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to incomplete information and need for further development.