PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and PTSD, finding that his sleep disorder is not attributable to undiagnosed illness or otherwise to his time on active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional treatment records from the Vet Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee disability, low back disability, left hip bursitis, PTSD, and CAD were granted. He is now entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis in the left knee since October 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to determine if the Veteran's depressive disorder and dysthymia are related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disorder, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right lumbar radioculopathy, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and mental health issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to his in-service military stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeal regarding the initial ratings for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, effective October 13, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the VA office in San Juan.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder have been rated at 30 percent combined since January 16, 2008. The Board finds that the current symptomatology does not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed residuals of cold exposure did not begin in service, have not existed continuously since service, and are not shown to be otherwise related to any incident of service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was addressed separately.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Diabetes Mellitus, Type II are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence related to the claimed stressors and the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by an accidental overdose of fentanyl, venlafaxine, zolpidem (Ambien), and diphenhydramine. The medical opinions are in favor of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for higher rating for PTSD, service connection for stroke and testicle cancer, and TDIU. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal regarding lumbosacral disc derangement. The claim for an increased rating for sciatic nerve involvement with sensory loss of the left second toe is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, result in a combined 80 percent evaluation and preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The criteria for entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are met.