PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and a rescheduled videoconference hearing. The issues include evaluations for amputation, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for malignant melanoma has been reopened and granted. He is now entitled to a 50% evaluation for PTSD, effective from the date of his claim.,He is also entitled to an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, with a current evaluation of 40%. His TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations for PTSD and benign right spermatic cord neoplasm.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is considered a contributory cause of his death, with the VA physician finding that it was at least as likely as not (50 percent or more probable) that the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient notice regarding PTSD based on in-service personal assault and a need for additional evidence, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been granted for accrued benefits purposes. The initial rating for PTSD is 30 percent, and the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment due to mild symptoms, including occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board found that the current level of disability did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death from sepsis due to pneumonia. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his underlying medical conditions, including hypertension and alcohol abuse, which increased his risk for death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including providing notice regarding how to substantiate a claim for PTSD based on personal assault and attempting to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors through the appropriate channels.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining the Veteran's complete service personnel file and attempting to verify his claimed stressors. A VA examiner will also be consulted to provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 3, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to his combat experience in Vietnam, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case to verify the Veteran's in-service stressor and schedule him for a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including verification of stressors and obtaining VA clinical records. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent effective March 26, 1991. The Board granted a higher initial evaluation to 70 percent for PTSD from March 26, 1991 to February 9, 2011 and assigned a 100 percent rating as of February 10, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased initial rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying the Veteran's alleged in-service stressor and obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner if additional information corroborating the stressor is received.