PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his mental incapacity, requiring care at home for safety reasons. The Board grants SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service in Honduras.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for tinnitus, bilateral knee disorder, and PTSD are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest available level of disability, warranting a 70 percent evaluation. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board also found that he meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder with missed anxiety, and depressed mood, is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression contributed to his death, which is now considered the cause of death. The claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits and DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are moot as a result.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim is resolved in favor of reopening. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was 70 percent from September 19, 2003 to July 24, 2007. The claimant contends that he should have received a higher combined rating prior to this date.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his headaches and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, based on additional relevant official service department records that corroborated the Veteran's account of in-service stressors. The effective date is set at December 16, 1992.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claim to reopen a previously denied low back strain (lumbar spine disorder) was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation as it does not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder in March 2005. The Veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year of the decision, so the denial became final.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, chest pain (not related to PTSD), skin disorder, and asthma have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 15, 1991 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's original claim was filed in 1991 and VA had sufficient information to obtain verification of his claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of an in-service stressor event related to PTSD and consideration of alternative current conditions within the scope of the filed claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA outpatient treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous examination and opinion regarding his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to include generalized anxiety disorder with depression is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining morning reports and unit history.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability attributable to his period of service, including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder NOS.