PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination for his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also being considered as part of the higher rating claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing pertinent records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as there is no legal basis to grant such a request given the finality of his previous denial and the fact that he did not file an appeal within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent, and the RO increased it to 70 percent effective May 18, 2010. The case is being remanded for additional development including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective September 26, 2007. The claim for TDIU is granted and the effective date is set at September 26, 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination to assess his PTSD. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with PTSD traits and alcohol/cocaine abuse in remission, is not due to or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a psychiatric examination to determine if any of the veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in service, while a disorder manifested by painful joints and muscles was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to his active duty service. The case will be remanded for a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's mental health conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication consistent with a Court decision, including obtaining new VA examinations to assess PTSD symptoms and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, with reduced reliability and productivity. The symptoms included flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired short-term and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbance of motivation and mood, and difficulties in maintaining work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen claims for service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction, right bundle branch block, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and a psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety).

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request, and will not make a decision on the merits until this is done.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting further examinations.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as adjustment disorder with depressed mood) as secondary to a service-connected disability, but denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to March 26, 2010. After that date, the impairment was more severe.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her PTSD and an opinion on whether she is unemployable due to her service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has not resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating no higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 30, 2006. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD.