PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development of his claim for service connection for hypertension, secondary to PTSD, coronary artery disease, and/or peripheral vascular disease. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) has been granted. The issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss is considered reopened, but no rating or effective date has been assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for proper notice regarding how to substantiate her claim of service connection for PTSD based on sexual trauma, and a potential VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected PTSD has been granted, with the maximum schedular rating of 70 percent being maintained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a review of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms and their impact on his occupational and social functioning. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depression have been service-connected, but the current disability rating for PTSD is only 50 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to verify the appellant's service dates and potential in-service stressors, as well as obtain relevant VA treatment records. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is found to be caused by long-term use of Flagyl, a medication prescribed and overseen by VA providers. The Board finds that this condition was not reasonably foreseeable and grants compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran was paid VA disability compensation in the amount of $5,889.23 when he should have been paid $0 due to his reentry into active duty.,The Veteran is entitled to waiver of recovery of this overpayment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, blackouts, and shrapnel wounds in the right leg and knee were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to mustard gas or other conditions that could be presumed due to service. The claim for foot fungus is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and TDIU was denied as his character of discharge from active military service is dishonorable, and he does not have a qualifying disability. The Board also found that the Veteran is not totally unemployable due to his service-connected residuals of a fracture to the mandible.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 31, 2011. The VA Appeals Management Center (AMC) granted this rating after considering new evidence of increased severity.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA audiology examination and an updated VCAA notice letter to inform the Veteran of the evidence necessary to substantiate his claims. The Veteran will be asked to provide any further information or evidence as may serve to support alleged stressors in service supportive of his PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to corroborate alleged stressor events in service and determine if any psychiatric disability is related to such events.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 28, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating and does not warrant a higher rating.