PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD with anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are related to his service in Afghanistan.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for further development of the record, including obtaining additional treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disability, namely depression, is the result of his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors occurring during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to PTSD. The VA examiner will determine if there is a link between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD was not of sufficient severity to warrant a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to the November 2008 VA examination, and thus he is not entitled to an effective date prior to September 29, 2008 for a 50% disability evaluation.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disability and service.

The Board found no verified stressor upon which a diagnosis of PTSD was based, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities. The Veteran's conditions are currently rated as follows: loss of use of both feet (100%), coronary artery disease (60%), PTSD (50%), arthritis of the lumbar spine (40%), peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity (30%), peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (20%), diabetes mellitus, type 2 (20%), compression of the L5 nerve root with numbness in the left foot (10%), and erectile dysfunction (noncompensable).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that his reported in-service stressors are related to his fear of hostile military activity and consistent with the circumstances of his service. The diagnosis is supported by a VA psychiatrist who confirmed the adequacy of the stressor and its relation to the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, hemorrhoids, and tinea versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis have been granted. The effective dates are as follows: PTSD from February 2, 2001; hemorrhoids from August 29, 2000; and tinea versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis from December 26, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred during service, and his skin disability is not related to service. The claim for a back condition and chronic diarrhea has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, particularly his experiences during World War II in the Philippines. The decision grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to manage his financial affairs and therefore, he is not competent for the purpose of receiving direct payment of his VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date would be March 6, 1992, when he filed his claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a letter from his representative indicating he no longer wishes to pursue the increased evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral knee disorders, and a low back disorder have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has diagnosed PTSD related to his service in Kuwait, consistent with fear of hostile military activity.