PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent or higher for his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and cannabis dependence has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in March 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 15, 2006. The VA finds that the condition results in reduced reliability and productivity but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral knee disability, and skin disability. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition. For his bilateral knee disability, there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to current symptoms.

The Board is remanding the claim for service connection for PTSD to determine if there was a pre-existing condition that existed prior to military service and whether it worsened during or as a result of active duty.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the January 2000 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, other than anxiety and depression, are related to his service-connected anxiety disorder. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and his living circumstances at the time of the notice. The claim will be reviewed again after all necessary development is completed.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as there was no verified in-service stressor. The Veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease were not shown to have onset during or within one year of separation from service.,Service connection for secondary hypertension and cardiovascular disease due to PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus with kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's initial grant of service connection for PTSD has been upheld, and he is now receiving a 50 percent evaluation.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of January 27, 2005. The original claim was filed on that day and the evidence supporting this claim included a VA mental health evaluation dated January 26, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate his service connection claim for ischemic heart disease, which may affect the outcome of his original claim. The claims are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran meets the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating for residuals of right foot injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying stressors. The Veteran is also to be provided with notice of a claim for secondary service connection due to his hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed adjustment disorder is related to harassment in service and the claim for service connection is granted.