PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination for his PTSD and to determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent, and his chronic lumbosacral fibromyositis claim requires further development. The hypertension secondary to PTSD claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 7, 2007, for the grant of Individual Unemployability (IU) secondary to PTSD with chronic anxiety is granted. The criteria were met as his service-connected disability alone was sufficient to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Vet Center and VAMC treatment records. A VA PTSD examination will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and the securing of private treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no disability rating or effective date is assigned.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher 70 percent rating since July 15, 2009. The claim for squamous cell carcinoma was withdrawn prior to the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's coloboma of the left eye was a congenital defect and not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection for this condition. The psychiatric claim is pending.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of a direct relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's gastritis has been manifested by daily pain and discomfort, nausea, constipation, vomiting, and diarrhea. The Board finds that a noncompensable rating is appropriate as the evidence does not show any severe impairment of health or recurrent incapacitating episodes averaging at least four times per year.,There is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the Veteran's record. The acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymic disorder and PTSD was not shown in service, nor has it been related to a disease or injury of service origin.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as there is no schedular basis for the assignment of a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and his malaria does not warrant a compensable evaluation. The claim to reopen service connection for acne was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for chloracne was also denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, ensure proper examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, and consider entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors. The Veteran is also reminded of his obligation to cooperate with VA in obtaining relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and he is entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar strain disability. The issue regarding the compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and the need for further development regarding in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered, with a VA examination if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the severity of her PTSD and thoracic spine disability.