PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of in-service stressors and the VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD. The Veteran's current eye disabilities are related to his post-service injury in 2005, while his psychiatric disabilities are not linked to his military service.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current eye or psychiatric conditions to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records to verify a reported in-service stressor and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, which contributed to his strokes and left him wheelchair-bound, was a substantial cause of his death in a house fire due to asphyxiation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service and denied both claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence has been received. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with this issue, so it must be remanded as well.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since January 4, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date is dismissed as the Veteran was satisfied with the current rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether PTSD is warranted, and further examination is needed.

The Board has dismissed the request to reopen a claim for service connection for hepatitis. The Veteran's attorney withdrew his appeal on this issue prior to the issuance of a decision. The matter of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded to the RO for further action, including the issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the Veteran's anxiety disorder, effective May 10, 2007. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is pending for service connection of various conditions, including PTSD and TDIU. The claims for left ankle sprain, low back disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder are not currently addressed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee and lower leg disorder or an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The in-service complaints were found to be acute and transitory without any residual disability noted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant contends that her husband's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and private treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is being considered as a contributory cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, tinnitus, a left leg disorder, a back disorder (claimed as back arthritis), and a respiratory disorder. The decision concluded that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria and that the link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor could not be established.

The Veteran's initial ratings for PTSD with depression, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and records, as well as for further development of the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the appellant and a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.