PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected as a result of his verified combat stressors during military service, including witnessing the death of a soldier and recovering dead Viet Cong in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted and rated at 70 percent effective from November 13, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and visual disability prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, is related to her service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, or depression. The new evidence received since January 2002 is sufficient to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for PTSD and his low back disability. The TDIU issue is also part of this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issue of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The cases related to bilateral hearing loss and tension headaches are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, residuals of a fragment wound to the right side of neck, and neck scars associated with residuals of a fragment wound to the right side of neck.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a more contemporaneous VA examination of his service-connected PTSD and to consider the possibility of staged ratings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various disabilities, including PTSD, knee conditions, elbow degenerative joint disease, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, wrist condition/carpal tunnel syndrome, and left elbow disability. The decision also grants service connection for a bilateral arm disability (claimed as bilateral shoulder disability).

The Board found that the November 1998 rating decision did not involve clear and unmistakable error (CUE), as it is unclear whether a different result would have been reached had the RO reconsidered the Veteran's claim for PTSD in 1998. The effective date of service connection was determined to be February 19, 1991.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating prior to June 25, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain Social Security Administration records and further medical examinations regarding his skin conditions, PTSD, and boils.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and PTSD have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues include service connection claims and rating disputes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and determining if certain issues are on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his DIC claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service personnel records and further efforts to obtain historical unit records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and a psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder will be addressed after the development is completed.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service is a bar to VA compensation benefits, including for PTSD due to his multiple offenses and misconduct during active duty.