PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging a psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The matter will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a cold injury and PTSD, both claimed as accrued benefits due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.,No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of kidney disorder (nephritis).

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was granted as the evidence showed a diagnosis of PTSD consistent with DSM-IV criteria, supported by credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts, finding no competent evidence to show that his post-service cataracts began during active service or were related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral shoulder wounds, finding that there was no evidence of in-service stressors or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The evidence shows that his current diagnoses are related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and any impact on employment. The claim for TDIU will be deferred until after the PTSD rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was dismissed as he did not attempt to challenge the finality of the July 1999 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The issue regarding an extension of a temporary total rating will be considered in conjunction with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher initial disability evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees as his representation did not meet the criteria due to the Equal Access to Justice Act awards offsetting the contingency fee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD. The issue of service connection for a cognitive disorder will also be developed.

The case is being remanded for further development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The issues on appeal include whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss, as well as entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to seek updated treatment records and schedule a VA mental health examination. The Veteran's claims for higher PTSD rating and TDIU will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and readjudication of his claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in service due to a personal assault, and thus grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, major depression, adjustment disorder, severe anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture.