PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD is related to service and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with depression as a significant contributing factor. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD substantially contributed to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating prior to March 1, 2011. From March 1, 2011 onwards, his PTSD was rated at 70 percent. The Board denied both issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case to the Regional Office for additional development regarding service connection for PTSD and a chronic wound.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a current rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and the evidence did not support his pending claims for PTSD and depression. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in deficiencies in most areas such as work or school.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 2, 2008, for the award of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to a need for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA PTSD examination to validate the Veteran's claimed stressor of in-service sexual assault and/or harassment. The examiner will determine if PTSD is diagnosed and related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule a new VA psychiatric examination. The issues on appeal include service connection for a respiratory condition, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed stressors are sufficient to have caused his psychiatric disability, specifically including PTSD, and whether there exists a nexus between the established stressors and his psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to the RO for additional action, including obtaining morning reports from a specific Army unit and ensuring that all development is completed in accordance with the remand instructions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's insomnia is less likely caused by or a result of non-psychiatric sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. The examiner opined that it was more likely as not due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a 30 percent disability rating effective August 21, 2009. The issue of earlier effective date for service connection and the grant of a 30 percent rating is also addressed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and schizophrenia. However, the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, claimed as PTSD, was granted an initial rating of 30 percent. Service connection for a left foot lipoma due to herbicide exposure was also granted.