PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and potential service connection for ischemic heart disease. The issues of increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and service connection for ischemic heart disease are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him unable to perform daily functions or protect himself from hazards, and his need for aid and attendance is attributed to non-service-connected dementia.

The Board has remanded the case for increased ratings on PTSD with a major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that a prior claim was not submitted before August 6, 2001.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The decision found that there was no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor related to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service exposure to 'scud' attacks during his deployment in Saudi Arabia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no causal link between any event or incident in service and his current PTSD. The claim of reopening a claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is addressed separately.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's need for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance prior to May 20, 2008 is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed PTSD, including whether it is related to a personal assault in service. The Veteran also needs to have her in-service clinical records from Letterman General Hospital obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military experiences. The skin condition claim is remanded due to lack of definitive evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and inguinal hernia were denied as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board also found that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's death was caused by suicide, which the Board found to be due to his service-connected major depression. As a result, he is entitled to VA burial benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injury and her petition to reopen a previously denied claim regarding the character of her discharge from September 14, 1983 to September 22, 1986. The RO determined that her second period of active duty ended with an other than honorable discharge due to willful and persistent misconduct.

The RO granted service connection for PTSD with dysthymic disorder and assigned a 30 percent evaluation effective September 17, 1996. The Veteran's clinical documentation was not considered at the time of the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was initially granted and rated at 30 percent, effective August 22, 2005. The rating was increased to 50 percent as of April 28, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 28, 2001. The Board granted TDIU benefits effective February 24, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case to ensure a complete record is available for decision, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying whether the Veteran is receiving Social Security Administration disability benefits. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond.