PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board denied the appellant's claim, finding that his character of discharge for the period from November 1968 to June 1970 is considered a bar to VA disability benefits due to persistent misconduct and willful and persistent misconduct.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher evaluation to 70 percent effective February 12, 2007.

The Veteran's asthma was granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent effective February 17, 2010. Service connection for PTSD was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest schedular rating of 100 percent, reflecting complete social and industrial impairment.

The appeal for increased evaluations for PTSD has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The case has been REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors. The Veteran's depression is also considered as part of his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including providing proper duty-to-assist notice and obtaining VA examinations for PTSD and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his death from metastatic unknown primary adenocarcinoma.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his non-service connected physical disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim has also been raised by the record and needs to be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a respiratory disorder, and chronic headaches have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions that are related to service or any in-service stressors. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran wishes to have another hearing on his PTSD claim. The appeal is currently in a state of pending status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 22, 2002 for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to PTSD. The August 1998 rating decision implicitly denied TDIU without addressing it separately.

The Veteran's appeals of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been dismissed due to the withdrawal by his representative.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as it is barred by law due to the finality of a prior rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim should be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA clinical records and a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for major depression and PTSD are granted, as her diagnoses align with the criteria set forth in the regulations.