PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of his service. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, effective from July 17, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but the Board has reopened his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU remains on appeal due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to arrange for a VA mental disorders examination, obtain any additional evidence, and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with residual schizophrenia is granted. The issue regarding CUE in the November 14, 1979 rating decision that denied nonservice-connected pension benefits remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's other claims related to depression, peripheral neuropathies of the bilateral lower extremities, osteoarthritis of the knees, low back disc disease with radiation into the left lower extremity, hepatitis C, and hypertension are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has PTSD related to his service and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical history provided and the need for a new VA psychiatric examination. The RO should also adjudicate the inferred claims for service connection for major depressive disorder with psychotic features and panic disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying the Veteran's reported stressors. The Veteran is also scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed left knee disability and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the effective date of service connection, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claim for service connection for PTSD. The case regarding an increased rating for the scar was also addressed, but as it is related to another issue on appeal, it is referred back to the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric conditions. The case also requires verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining information from his most recent employer and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is evaluated at a 30 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied, while his TDIU claim was granted. The low back disorder issue is considered 'unknown' as it does not appear to be part of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 30 percent disabling, but the evidence shows that his symptoms warrant a higher rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and for consideration of entitlement to a higher disability rating. Additionally, TDIU will be considered as part of this claim.